Two charged over Qld council fraud

Two men have been charged over a $550,000 fraud scandal involving a far north Queensland council.

One male council worker, aged 52, allegedly arranged a $500,000 severance package for himself before resigning, using falsified documents.

A Crime and Corruption Commission investigation into the package also resulted in fraud charges being laid against a second man.

The 48-year-old from Hopevale allegedly received four payments, worth a total of $58,400, from a council-owned entity which were organised by the council worker and justified with fraudulent supporting material.

The older man has been charged with five counts of fraud and five counts of fraudulent falsification of records and will appear before the Atherton Magistrates Court on September 1.

The 48-year-old will appear before the Cooktown Magistrates Court on September 3, facing four counts of fraud.