Company director charged over alleged kickbacks in Pilbara corruption scandal

Richard Carroll appeared in court over eight corruption charges; former council manager remains in Philippines

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published27 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Richard Carroll, a director of Victorian companies VicFlow and VicFlow Civil, faced court on Monday charged with eight counts of corrupt behaviour over alleged bribery of a former Shire of East Pilbara manager. The charges follow a joint investigation by WA Police and the Corruption and Crime Commission, which found Carroll’s companies received more than $5 million in contracts after he allegedly paid over $50,000 in gratuities to Bevan Klein.

The Shire of East Pilbara, which covers a vast area of inland Western Australia from its base in Newman, awarded more than $11 million in contracts to VicFlow and Dick Tracey, according to a CCC report published earlier this month. The report found that Klein, while employed as the shire's operations manager, engaged in serious misconduct by favouring the two companies when awarding contracts.

Dick Tracey has denied conferring any benefit. Shire president Anthony Middleton welcomed progress in the investigation and said the council reported its concerns as soon as misconduct was suspected. “Our community deserves accountability in how public money is managed. We support efforts to establish the facts and hold anyone found to have acted unlawfully to account,” he said. Mr Middleton confirmed neither VicFlow nor Dick Tracey is currently engaged by the shire.

Klein, who had previously worked with Carroll in New South Wales and listed him as a referee when applying for the East Pilbara position, has not returned from a holiday in the Philippines. His representatives cited significant health conditions and financial problems preventing his return. The matter is now before the courts, and the shire said it will respect that process. Carroll is due back in court in February.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

The case highlights the vulnerability of remote councils with limited oversight to corruption in procurement.
More than $11 million in public funds may have been awarded through alleged bribery, undermining community trust.
The investigation and court process will determine accountability and may lead to reforms in local government contracting.

Background

The Shire of East Pilbara covers a vast area of inland Western Australia, based in Newman. The alleged corruption came to light after the council reported suspicions to the CCC, which conducted a joint investigation with WA Police. The relationship between Carroll and Klein dates back to previous work together in New South Wales, with Klein listing Carroll as a referee for the East Pilbara job.

Key Perspectives

Shire of East Pilbara president Anthony Middleton: Said the community deserves accountability and the shire supported efforts to establish facts. He noted the council reported concerns promptly and has since strengthened procurement controls. Dick Tracey: Denied conferring any benefit to Klein. Bevan Klein's representatives: Cited significant health conditions and financial problems as reasons for Klein's continued absence in the Philippines.

What to Watch

Richard Carroll's next court appearance in February.
Whether Bevan Klein returns from the Philippines to face investigation.
Potential further charges or civil action against the companies involved.

Sources

Company director charged over alleged kickbacks in Pilbara corruption scandal · ABC News

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 6 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedThe headline says a company director was charged over alleged kickbacks in the Pilbara corruption scandal.Just In: “Company director charged over alleged kickbacks in Pilbara corruption scandal.”
SupportedRichard Carroll appeared in court on Monday.Just In: “Richard Carroll, a director of Victorian companies VicFlow and VicFlow Civil, faced court on Monday”
SupportedThe summary says Carroll faced eight corruption charges.Just In: “He was charged with with eight counts of a public officer acting corruptly in the performance or discharge of their functions”
Partly supportedThe story describes the charges as eight counts of corrupt behaviour over alleged bribery of a former manager.Just In: “He was charged with with eight counts of a public officer acting corruptly in the performance or discharge of their functions”
Partly supportedThe summary says former manager Bevan Klein remains in the Philippines.Just In: “Mr Klein had not returned from the Philippines by the time the CCC report was published at the start of October.”
Partly supportedThe story says a joint investigation found Carroll’s companies received more than $5 million in contracts.Just In: “Police said the two companies were the recipients of more than $5 million in contracts from the shire”
Partly supportedThe story says Carroll allegedly paid more than $50,000 in gratuities after the companies received the contracts.Just In: “Police said the two companies were the recipients of more than $5 million in contracts from the shire, for which Mr Carroll allegedly paid more than $50,000 in gratuities to Mr Klein.”
SupportedThe Shire awarded more than $11 million in contracts to VicFlow and Dick Tracey, according to a CCC report.Just In: “The Shire of East Pilbara awarded more than $11 million in contracts to the two companies, according to a CCC report.”
SupportedThe CCC report found Klein engaged in serious misconduct by favouring VicFlow and Dick Tracey when awarding contracts.Just In: “A CCC report published earlier this month found Mr Klein, while employed as the Shire of East Pilbara's operations manager, had engaged in serious misconduct, favouring VicFlow and the company Dick Tracey when awarding contracts.”
SupportedMiddleton said, “Our community deserves accountability in how public money is managed. We support efforts to establish the facts and hold anyone found to have acted unlawfully to account.”Just In: “"Our community deserves accountability in how public money is managed. We support efforts to establish the facts and hold anyone found to have acted unlawfully to account," Mr Middleton said.”
Partly supportedMiddleton said the shire reported its concerns as soon as misconduct was suspected.Just In: “The shire reported its concerns to the CCC as soon as there was a reasonable suspicion of misconduct.”
Partly supportedThe story says Klein and Carroll had worked together in New South Wales and that Klein listed Carroll as a referee.Just In: “Mr Klein and Mr Carroll had previously worked together on the other side of the country, when Mr Klein was employed by the Towong Shire Council and Mr Carroll performed contract work for the shire. Mr Klein would later cite Mr Carroll as a referee”