An employee of the government, along with his spouse and several executives from a construction firm, have been formally accused of fraudulent and corrupt activities concerning a lucrative government contract.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) allege that these individuals from the Northern Territory engaged in a scheme to manipulate the awarding of nearly $71 million worth of tenders from the Department of Defence to their own company.

The government employee is suspected of “abusing his position to steer building contracts towards the construction firm and its subsidiary, which were owned by his accomplices.”

The AFP, in collaboration with the Department of Defence and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), conducted a series of raids on various businesses and residences around the Darwin area last Friday.

During these operations, authorities confiscated mobile devices, laptops, a firearm, jewelry, $30,000 in cash, and a small amount of a substance believed to be cocaine.

The accused are facing numerous charges, each carrying potential sentences of up to 10 years in prison.

They include dishonestly gaining a benefit from a Commonwealth entity, namely the Department of Defence.

The Commonwealth employee was also charged with abuse of public office.

AFP Superintendent Greg Davis said abuse of public office or corruption was “not only criminal but also a serious breach of public trust”.

“Defrauding the Commonwealth is a crime that prevents public funds from being used to support the wider Australian community, and we will not hesitate to investigate suspected criminal activity to bring offenders to justice,” Supt Davis said.