Corruption in senior Vic hospital ranks

THE IBAC INVESTIGATION INTO BENDIGO HEALTH

* IBAC receives allegations of misconduct against Bendigo Health building manager Adam Hardinge in December 2014.

* The allegations prompt an investigation in 2015, which expands to include allegations against Bendigo Health CEO John Mulder.

FINDINGS

a) Mr Mulder

* Failed to pay the hospital for $10, 000 worth of goods and services performed by workers at properties, including those owned by his wife.

b) Mr Hardinge

* Used hospital material to renovate his private residences without authorisation.

* Made workers take unpaid leave from the hospital to carry out work on his home.

* Inappropriately accessed hospital tender documents.

* Sold a $70,000 electrical transformer owned by the hospital to a contractor without authorisation.

* Had $21,000 worth of scrap metal proceeds paid into his personal trust account.

* Repeatedly failed to comply with procurement processes, including failing to obtain the required number of quotes.

CONSEQUENCES

* Mr Mulder was stood down in February. His future at the hospital is unclear.

* Mr Hardinge was convicted on seven charges of theft, one charge of obtaining property by deception and one charge of attempting to obtain financial advantage by deception. He was fined $15,000 and made to repay $5000 to the hospital.