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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:
- From December 6, 2009: stole a Milwaukee impact driver belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at $583
- From May 19, 2010: stole two laptops belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at $2926
- From August 16, 2010: stole a Paslode Frame Master nail gun belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at $636
- From November 4, 2010: stole a Crommlins concrete vibrator belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at $1198
- From November 4, 2010: stole a fabricated toolbox belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at $2700
- From March 24, 2011: stole a Milwaukee jobsite radio belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at $248
- From March 24, 2011: stole a Makita vacuum belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at $655
- From July 23, 2011: stole two binders belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at $37
- From July 28, 2011: stole four two-tonne lifting slings belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at 115
- From August 14, 2011: stole one Ramset caulking gun belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at $900
- From September 1, 2011: stole a Bailey step ladder belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at $189
- From September 1, 2011: stole a Milwaukee tool bag belonging to Bendigo Health containing an electric handsaw, 4 drills, 1 torch, 1 electric cut-off saw, 2 battery chargers, 1 tap adapter, 1 tape measure and 1 screw driver, with total valued of $2000
- From September 1, 2011: stole a fire hose and reel belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at $300
- From September 1, 2011: stole a bar cutter and bender belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at $350
- From September 1, 2011: stole 2000 heritage bricks belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at $2000
- From February 14, 2012: stole Modwood timber decking belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at $6486
- From March 4, 2012: stole door jambs belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at $1006
- From March 5, 2012: stole insulation batts belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at $3184
- From March 6, 2012: stole Kincrome tool bag belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at $83
- From April 4, 2012: stole galvanised weld mesh belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at $403
- From October 24, 2012: stole Makita saw trolley belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at $302
- From February 7, 2013: stole four aluminium planks belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at $915
- From May 1, 2014: stole a Milwaukee heated jacket belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at $236
- From May 8, 2014: stole Milwaukee batteries and charger belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at $400
- From May 8, 2014: stole a Milwaukee work light belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at $156
- Between May 8, 2014 and September 1, 2014: stole a Milwaukee heated jacket and charger belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at $236
- Between August 3, 2014 and August 17, 2014: stole 20 removal cartons belonging to Bendigo Health, valued at $91.