A Darwin man has been charged by the Australian Federal police, accused of exploiting the NDIS.
Authorities allege the 47-year-old man used his position as an employee at the National Disability Insurance Agency to defraud the scheme, by referring vulnerable members of the community to a business he co-owned.
The AFP executed searched a a Lee Point residence, Durack business and Yarrawonga businesses yesterday (February 18), seizing documents and electronic devices.
$5 million worth of claims made by the man’s business have now been flagged as suspicious, reportedly claiming $28 million from NDIS funding since 2019.
He’s been charged with a string of offences, including one count of abuse of public office.
He’s expected to face Darwin Local Court today (February 19).
AFP Detective Inspector Aidan Milner says the AFP is committed to stopping criminal exploitation of Commonwealth payments designed to help those in genuine need.
“Defrauding the Commonwealth ultimately steals the money of hard-working Australians and prevents those with genuine needs receiving the care they desperately need,” he says.
“The AFP and its partners are focused on identifying fraud in Commonwealth programs and will relentlessly pursue those who seek to exploit our government social programs for their own benefit.”
