Former hospital manager to plead to corruption charges

A FORMER Bendigo Health construction manager will next month plead to corruption and deception charges relating to goods and services said to be part of works clearing the way for the city’s new hospital.

It’s alleged Adam David Hardinge, 39, stole more than $30,000 in tools and equipment belonging to Bendigo Health, and allegedly gained more than $15,000 through deception.

Hardinge appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Friday where his matter was adjourned to a plea hearing on October 19.

Hardinge was employed by Bendigo Health to manage the demolition works on the site, which made way for the new $630 million hospital.

His alleged offending included the theft of 2000 heritage bricks, removed from the hospital site. The bricks were valued at $2000.

Hardinge was also alleged to have stolen $6486 in timber decking.

There were a total of 28 charges relating to the theft of tools and equipment, and two deception charges.

One deception charge relates to the sale of scrap metal from the Bendigo hospital site to Onesteel. It is alleged he deceptively obtained $14,825 from the sale by receiving cheques intended for the health service.

The second deception charge details Hardinge allegedly receiving $513 in cleaning services from Kellow’s Cleaning for a premises in Bendigo. 

He allegedly told the company they were Bendigo Health premises, but they belonged to another individual.

The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission charged Hardinge in July this year.

A whistleblower first raised concerns with Bendigo Health in November, 2014, and Hardinge was suspended from duties. 

Following an independent investigation by the health service, the matter was referred to Victoria Police.

State health minister Jill Hennessy called for the matter to be referred to IBAC, the organisation responsible for identifying and preventing serious corrupt conduct across the public sector. 

IBAC took over the investigation in January, 2015.

During the brief hearing on Friday, Hardinge’s defence counsel told the court they needed at least one month before the plea hearing so his client could undertake a psychiatric assessment.

The court heard some of the charges could be struck out or consolidated at the plea hearing.

Hardinge’s alleged period of offending spanned more than five years, up until March 28, 2015.

The charges include:

- Bendigo Advertiser