Public servant jailed over bribes
A former public servant has been sentenced to 10 months in prison after an investigation found he had used his position to act corruptly and seek bribes.
Canning Vale man Benjamin Chuan Cheng Tee had pleaded guilty to one count of corruption and two counts of seeking a bribe as a public officer.
He was sentenced in Perth District Court yesterday to 10 months imprisonment on each of the three counts, to be served concurrently.
The 52-year-old started working as a project manager with the Department of Housing in 2010 and, at the time of the offences in 2011 and 2012, was responsible for the project management of an indigenous housing project in Dampier, the Corruption and Crime Commission said in a statement.
His role included managing project budgets, building contractors, building estimates and project variations.
The CCC investigation found that Tee used his position to act corruptly and seek bribes from two building contractors employed on the housing project.
"Tee suggested to the contractors that he could 'take care of contractors and approve variations' in exchange for money, which he intended to use to pay for holidays, take care of his family and pay bills," the CCC said.
"The contractors each refused every approach by Tee.
"In handing down the sentence, District Court Judge Julie Wager said 'the public needs to know that if you commit these offences as a public officer, you will lose your liberty'."
