Media Releases

The owner of an electrical company who supplied services to Frankston City Council has pleaded guilty to obtaining property by deception following an investigation by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC). Operation Topi substantiated allegations that improper procurement practices were used to obtain Frankston City Council funds.

Aiden Magnik, the owner of the company, was today convicted and sentenced at the Melbourne County Court to a Community Corrections Order for two years with an order that he perform 240 hours of unpaid community work.

His Honour Judge Mullally noted that if Mr Magnik had not pleaded guilty, he would have been sentenced to two years and four months imprisonment with a non-parole period of 18 months.

The conviction follows the sentencing in October 2020 of former Frankston City Council manager Andrew Williamson to 12 months imprisonment and a 30-month Community Corrections Order.  

Operation Topi commenced after IBAC received a notification from Frankston City Council. Under mandatory notification requirements, all heads of Victorian public sector departments and agencies, including council CEOs, must, by law, notify IBAC of any matter they suspect, on reasonable grounds, involves corrupt conduct.

To report public sector corruption or police misconduct, visit www.ibac.vic.gov.au/report or call 1300 735 135.