Ex-ATSIC boss ‘stole money from Indigenous housing for back deck’ police say

A bag full of sausages and three porterhouse steaks wasn’t enough to convince Aboriginal leader Geoff Clark to sit down with A Current Affair reporter Martin King, and explain his 543 fraud-related charges.

Detectives from the fraud squad allege Geoff spent part of the $685,000 that has gone missing from four Aboriginal organisations on the lavish deck at his home in an Indigenous community in Victoria’s south-west.

King learnt the extent to which Geoff has allegedly splashed out for his deck, installing a stone base pizza oven, a bar and kitchen area, and an expanse of space to entertain guests.

But when King arrived with $52 worth of meat for a barbecue, Geoff’s wife Trudy called her husband, and he told King on speakerphone while he was willing to talk, he was unable to that day. 

Geoff, Trudy, and their sons, Jeremy and Aaron, are facing a combined 1170 fraud, theft, and deception related charges.

The four appeared in Warrnambool Magistrates Court in October accused of dishonestly obtaining $685,000.

But earlier this year, detectives dropped another bombshell, laying a further 514 charges against Geoff for a total of 543.

Trudy received a further 456 charges for a total of 481.

Jeremy received a further 90 charges for a total of 91, and Aaron received an extra 28 charges for a total of 32.

The family is due back in court tomorrow.

Geoff has denied allegations he spent the money wrongfully, much of which was meant to repair housing for Indigenous families in western Victoria, on his deck and bar and kitchen.

He told A Current Affair he is being persecuted.

He has previously claimed to be the target of political witch hunts, telling reporters outside court, “I must be the most vilified man in Australia’s history, thanks to you people”.

David Galbally QC said the family was facing an "extraordinary number of charges".

"And it's extraordinary that it's taken a long time for all these charges to surface, that's the first concern," he said.

"The next concern is how will all of them be dealt with, and in what way, and will that affect the courts, and no doubt it will tie up prosecutors and it will go on for a long time."