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RELATED: Minister calls in IBAC
A 20-month investigation into serious corruption allegations against a construction manager at Bendigo Health is nearing completion.
The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission took over the investigation in January last year, after meeting with Bendigo Health executive and audit committee members.
A spokesperson for IBAC this week said “IBAC’s investigation into serious allegations concerning Bendigo Health is nearing finalisation”.
“For legal and operational reasons, we will not comment further,’’ she said.
Allegations were raised in November, 2014, and the manager was suspended from duties.
It is alleged the manager pressured winning bidders of Bendigo Health electrical projects to sub-contract labour-hire employees from certain firms.
Some of the kick-backs were believed to have included labour and building materials used in the manager's private home renovations.
Bendigo Health appointed independent investigators to make inquiries, before the matter was handed over to Victoria Police.
Then state health minister, Jill Hennessy, was briefed on the investigation and referred the matter to IBAC.
IBAC is responsible for identifying and preventing serious corrupt conduct across the public sector.
The Bendigo Advertiser understands as many as 50 individuals and businesses were interviewed during the investigation.
In a statement released to the Bendigo Advertiser at the time, Bendigo Health said it would assist IBAC with the investigation.
''Bendigo Health will work with IBAC and assist wherever possible,'' a spokesperson said.