It is alleged he authorised seven payments totalling $54,850 since March last year. Photo / Getty
It is alleged he authorised seven payments totalling $54,850 since March last year. Photo / Getty
The sacked former chief executive officer of a regional West Australian council misused more than $50,000 of public funds to hire a sex worker, the state's corruption watchdog has found.
Gavin Pollock was found to have created false council invoices while he was the Ravensthorpe Shire CEO to authorise payments for sexual services to a woman known as E.
Pollock, who was appointed CEO in February 2019, had his position unanimously terminated by the council earlier this month.
In a report tabled to WA Parliament on Wednesday, the Corruption and Crime Commission alleges Pollock authorised seven payments totalling $54,850 since March last year.
Its report said Pollock had been E's client for about five years, but from 2020 he allegedly used council money to pay her and other women for sex under the guise of "administrative and related services".
"The sole purpose of the scheme was for Pollock to receive sexual services," the commission said in a statement.
"Commission action prevented Pollock from processing two further payments to the sex worker for $13,530."
The commission commenced its investigation into allegations made against Pollock on July 13, using a search warrant to seize electronic devices and records from the Ravensthorpe council offices in August.
In early September, it held private hearings with E and with Pollock.
"The explanation Pollock gave the commission for setting up the scheme with E was so he could access support services, emotional support and use her as a sounding board at a time when he felt he was being undermined within the organisation," the commission said.
Pollock allegedly attempted to hide the "sham" by creating an apparently legitimate trail of documents to mislead anyone – such as an auditor – examining the payments.
It is alleged he authorised seven payments totalling $54,850 since March last year. Photo / Getty
The commission formed an opinion of serious misconduct and recommended that criminal charges be considered, while noting its opinion is not to be taken as an opinion or finding that Pollock is guilty of a criminal or disciplinary offence.
The commission has said its investigation is ongoing.
Pollock came to Ravensthorpe from a stint as CEO of Pingelly Shire, after a long career in local government that included holding managerial positions in Port Hedland, Chittering and Coolgardie.
Ravensthorpe Shire President Keith Dunlop acknowledged the CCC's findings and thanked it for its early intervention to prevent further council funds from being allegedly misspent.
"The Shire has no further comment in relation to the findings of this report other than to note Pollock's employment was terminated on September 13, 2021," Dunlop said in a statement.
"Council would like to thank shire staff who have maintained their ongoing professional efforts for the community during this investigation and look forward to moving on from this matter."
Ravensthorpe is a local government area located halfway between Albany and Esperance, with a population of fewer than 2000 people.
