Shire chief spent $55k on sexual services: CCC

A major investigation by the state’s corruption watchdog has allegedly found the Shire of Ravensthorpe’s former chief executive spent close to $55,000 of shire money to pay for sexual services.

In July, the Corruption and Crime Commission launched an investigation into allegations of misconduct by chief executive Gavin Pollock, executing a search warrant and seizing electronic devices and documents.

Until now, the commission, the shire's administration and the regional council have remained tight-lipped about the allegations at the centre of the raid.

Today, the commission tabled a report in state parliament detailing Operation Brass’ preliminary findings, which outline how Mr Pollock allegedly registered a sex worker as a supplier of 'administrative and related services' in March 2020 and created false invoices to facilitate the transfer of almost $55,000 over the course of more than a year.

The commission alleged that Mr Pollock had prepared two more invoices in the order of $13,500 for services, but that the payment was stopped by the investigation.

The report alleged Mr Pollock did not deny his actions, telling the commission he had established the scheme in a bid to access emotional support at a time in which he felt he was being undermined within the organisation.

According to the commission, Mr Pollock told investigators “I have to own it, wear it. I’m not ducking from that.”

The investigation is ongoing, but the commission has recommended that criminal charges be considered under the Criminal Code.

The report’s release comes less than a fortnight after the shire council unanimously voted to terminate Mr Pollock’s employment based on confidential information it had been fed by the corruption watchdog.

Mr Pollock has worked in local government for more than a decade, according to Business News’ Data & Insights database, having previously served as chief executive at the Shire of Pingelly, engineering services manager at the Shire of Chittering, and technical services manager at the Shire of Coolgardie.