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A tax office official on the Gold Coast is accused of disclosing sensitive information to organised criminals, and storing child abuse material on electronic devices.
Investigators raided a Surfers Paradise home on Thursday, seizing multiple mobile phones and electronic storage devices.
Federal police alleged the 32-year-old man disclosed information to organised crime associates that he had obtained in his capacity as a public official.
“We have long been aware of members and associates of organised crime groups trying to corrupt people with access to sensitive law enforcement information,” AFP deputy commissioner national security investigations Hilda Sirec said.
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“It’s concerning when we identify alleged instances of this classified information being made available to them.”
Investigators reported finding child abuse material on some devices, and said further specialist forensic examination would be carried out.
The man was charged with two counts of unlawful disclosure of information by a Commonwealth officer, two counts of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, and 15 counts of using a carriage service for child abuse material.
The maximum penalty for the first offence is two years in prison, while the child abuse material charges can each result in 15-year sentences.
The man is due to appear at Southport Magistrates Court on September 21. He has been suspended from his level 4 Australian Public Service role without pay.
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The investigation was a partnership between the AFP, National Anti-Corruption Commission, and ATO.
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William Davis is a reporter at Brisbane Times.Connect via email.AdvertisementAdvertisement