Transclean boss George Haritos has been sentenced to two years and three months in prison for his role in a corruption scandal involving lucrative Victorian rail cleaning contracts.
The 71-year-old pleaded guilty to conspiracy to give a secret commission and two counts of giving a secret commission.
Judge Todd described Haritos as the “common denominator” in almost every event. He will be eligible for parole after serving one year and five months.
The charges followed an Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission investigation into cleaning contracts awarded and extended by V/Line and Metro Trains.
The contracts and subsequent variations were initially valued at about $40 million, increasing to more than $54 million by March 2019.
Former V/Line chief executive James Pinder was also jailed after admitting to misconduct in public office.
The court heard Pinder had an undeclared relationship with Haritos and corruptly received $330,000, influencing him to favour Transclean. Most of the money was used to purchase a house in Williamstown after he was refused a bank loan.
Pinder, 58, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison, with a non-parole period of one year and nine months. Born in the United Kingdom, he now faces possible deportation.
“As of today you are uncertain as to whether you will be at liberty in the Australian community again,” Judge Todd told him.
Four others were also sentenced over their involvement.
Haritos’ brother-in-law and Transclean director Alex Kyritsis received a community correction order after pleading guilty to conspiracy to give a secret commission. Haritos’ nephew and Transclean employee Steven Kyritsis was given a community correction order for giving a secret commission.
Maria Tsakopoulos received a community correction order for conspiracy to destroy evidence and giving a secret commission. She was accused of creating a sham document intended to explain the transfer of $320,000 into Pinder’s bank account.
Solicitor Steven Collin and former Metro Trains manager Peter Bollas had previously received community correction orders for their roles in the matter.
Source: ABC News