By Charlene Macaulay
A candidate in the 2016 Wyndham council election has been charged with making and using false documents during the election campaign.
The Local Government Inspectorate will allege that, on September 21, 2016, Tarneit resident Joh Bauch submitted a candidate statement lodgement form and candidate questionnaire lodgement form in the name of another candidate to the Victorian Electoral Commission without their knowledge or consent.
He is expected to front the Werribee Magistrates Court on November 16 and faces two charges of making a false document and two charges of using a false document contrary to sections 83A(1) and 83A(2) of the Crimes Act 1958. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.
The charges follow a Local Government Inspectorate’s report into the Wyndham council elections that found two of the candidates interviewed were unaware they had nominated for council.
Mr Bauch was contacted for comment.
He is the fourth Wyndham candidate to be charged over his involvement in the 2016 election.
In March, fellow candidate Helen Simeonidis (also known as Helen Fanakopoulou and Eleni Fanakopoulou) was convicted and fined $1500, plus court costs, for failing to submit a campaign donation return following the election.
Wanli (Lucy) Jiang and Sahra Ashkir were both put on a 12-month good behaviour bond, with no court costs or conviction, for the same charge.
Charlene Macaulay
