Napoli bears all....except his head!

 

A quick way to follow the IBAC investigations is to follow the Age journalists tweets, either Timna or Henrietta have been on the job over the past weeks.

 

https://twitter.com/henriettacook

 

https://twitter.com/TimnaJacks

 

Napoli falls on his sword. (Has a deal been done?)

Disgraced former education department official Nino Napoli has fallen on his sword, admitting he stole money from state schools.

In a highly anticipated appearance at an anti-corruption hearing, the alleged architect of a scheme that ripped off schools said he abused his position of trust "absolutely and with regret".

"What I have done is dreadful," Mr Napoli said.

The former director of school resources also confessed asking his son Ralph to lie to investigators to get him out of trouble.

Counsel assisting Ian Hill, QC, said $120,000 of education department funds were paid into his son Ralph's bank account for work that he never did.

Mr Napoli said his other son Matthew was also paid for doing "nothing".

However, his sons and wife were not aware of the fraudulent payments, he said.

Mr Napoli was sacked by the department in April, and stands accused of running a $2.5 million fraud ring, which funnelled money away from state schools between 2007 and 2014. A large amount of the money went to Mr Napoli's relatives.

A solemn-looking Mr Napoli said he discussed conflicts of interest with the department's former acting secretary Jeff Rosewarne.

Mr Napoli said Mr Rosewarne was aware that his cousin Carlo was being paid for work by the department.

The former official was wearing his signature taxpayer-funded toupee, albeit with slightly less volume.(Nice to see a different photo of him in today’s Age)

Last week it was revealed at the Independent Broad Based Anti-Corruption Commission hearing that Mr Napoli suggested his cousin Carlo bill state schools thousands of dollars for the expensive hair piece.

Mr Napoli also said he had some "views" for the Education Department on how to improve the integrity of the "banker school system".(What a cheek)

The scheme was used to divert money away from schools and into companies owned by Mr Napoli's relatives.

Mr Napoli said banker schools were chosen because of his "mateship" with principals.

"You would certainly not make a banker school with a principal that you had no relationship with. I think all banker schools run in that respect."