More money needed to pursue unexplained wealth

The Corruption and Crime Commission will need a significant increase in funding to continue chasing the unexplained wealth of organised crime figures in WA, according to a review by Judge Peter Martino.

Judge Martino said the CCC had used the function well since taking over the role from WA Police three years ago. But he warned against assuming the agency could maintain those efforts without adding expert staff and technical resources to target criminals.

He included the need for accountants, financial analysts, lawyers, surveillance officers and digital forensic staff in his March review.

“The effective use of unexplained wealth powers requires significant resources and skills,” Judge Martino said. “It cannot be assumed the CCC will continue to be able to exercise its functions under the Criminal Property Confiscations Act effectively without additional resources.”

The CCC receives almost $28 million a year to operate and focuses mainly on serious misconduct in the public sector.

Under unexplained wealth provisions, the corruption fighter can target people who appear to be living beyond their means and can’t justify the legitimacy of their financial circumstances.

In a recent case, $1.7 million worth of assets were seized from a man in Perth’s northern suburbs. He was part of a police investigation into drug dealing before officers located two luxury cars, designer handbags and expensive watches and contacted the CCC.

Over three years, $15.7 million has been frozen and $7.4 million confiscated during unexplained wealth inquiries. The most high-profile case involved senior public servant Paul Whyte, who was jailed last year for stealing $27 million.

Judge Martino’s report to the committee of Parliament, which oversees the CCC, said criminal activity could be suppressed if organised crime was stripped of profits and assets.

“By targeting unexplained wealth, the legislation targets figures in criminal organisations who play a key role in directing and financing criminal operations but arrange their affairs so that they can enjoy the proceeds of their crimes without personally taking part in them,” Judge Martino said.

CCC commissioner John McKechnie told the committee last month that the powerful laws hadn’t yet bagged a so-called Mr Big of organised crime in WA.

Labor MP and committee chairman Matthew Hughes tabled Judge Martino’s review and agreed the CCC should be “appropriately funded to undertake” the unexplained wealth function.