A FORMER Mount Gambier man who served as an Adelaide magistrate has been charged with serious offences following an investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
Magistrate Bob Harrap – who grew up in Mount Gambier – has been arrested for allegedly lying about who was driving his government-issued car when it committed traffic offences last month.
He is also charged with one count of conspiracy to attempt to obstruct or pervert the course of justice or due administration of the law.
ICAC Commissioner Bruce Lander QC said the charges were laid after investigators executed five search warrants.
“It will be alleged that on two occasions between May 19 and May 22, Magistrate Harrap misrepresented who was driving his government-issued vehicle at the time it was observed committing traffic offences and thereby engaged in deception in order to obtain a benefit for himself,” Mr Lander said.
“It will also be separately alleged that between May 10 and May 29, Magistrate Harrap conspired with another person to pervert the course of justice and conspired to abuse his public office in relation to a matter that was to be heard by him and was heard by him.”
In light of the criminal proceedings, Chief Magistrate of South Australia Judge Mary-Louise Hribal said Harrap would not sit as a magistrate or conduct any court business until the matters had been finalised.
“Accordingly, I have directed that Magistrate Harrap take leave until the charges against him have been determined according to law,” Judge Hribal said.
“It is not appropriate for any magistrate to hear the charges against Magistrate Harrap and therefore I have asked the Chief Judge of the District Court to arrange for a judge to hear them.”
ICAC would not normally name offenders before their court appearance, however Mr Lander believed it was in the public interest to identify Harrap.
“I have had regard to the special circumstances of the matter and formed the view that it is appropriate to name Magistrate Harrap as a person arrested and charged as a result of an investigation by my office,” he said.
“I thought not naming the judicial officer would harm the confidence the community necessarily places in the judicial system.”
Mr Lander said the investigation was ongoing and it was anticipated other charges may be laid and other persons may be charged.
No other judicial officers have been subject to investigation.
Harrap has been bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on July 6.
