EX-MP TROY BELL JAILED FOR FIVE YEARS OVER THEFT OF $430,000 IN PUBLIC FUNDS MEANT FOR VULNERABLE STUDENTS
- Bell, 52, stole the money to fund his lavish lifestyle, including home renovations and credit card debts
- The former Mount Gambier MP was found guilty of 20 counts of theft and five counts of dishonest dealing with documents
- Bell will spend at least two-and-a-half years behind bars, with the judge describing his offending as a “sustained course of conduct”
Troy Bell, the disgraced former South Australian MP, has been slapped with a five-year jail sentence for stealing more than $430,000 in public funds meant to support vulnerable students. The 52-year-old was found guilty of 20 counts of theft and five counts of dishonest dealing with documents after a three-month trial last year.
In a scathing judgement, Judge Rauf Soulio described Bell’s offending as a “sustained course of conduct” that was “serious and significant”. The judge said Bell’s actions were a breach of trust, committed in a position of authority, and that the former MP had shown no remorse for his crimes.
“Your offending was committed in circumstances where a combination of authority and trust enabled you to continue that offending over such an extended period,” Judge Soulio said. “You have lost much because of your offending, including your seat in parliament and your assets.”
Bell’s crimes were committed between 2009 and 2013, when he worked at the Department for Education and was involved with the Independent Learning Centre (ILC) in Mount Gambier. He used the stolen funds to finance his lavish lifestyle, including home renovations and credit card debts.
The court heard that Bell’s offending had a significant impact on the community, with the stolen funds meant to support disengaged and vulnerable high school students. Judge Soulio said that while the students were not the direct victims of Bell’s offending, the funds could have been used in other areas to benefit the community.
Bell is also facing a raft of deception allegations related to the alleged misuse of the Country Members Accommodation Allowance. He has strongly denied the allegations, which are being heard in the Adelaide Magistrates Court.
The South East seat of Mount Gambier remains vacant following Bell’s resignation in September. Opposition leader Vincent Tarzia has called for a by-election, saying that the people of Mount Gambier are being denied representation.
Education Minister Blair Boyer said that while the outcome of the court case was disappointing, the people of Mount Gambier would have the opportunity to choose a new MP in the next state election.