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Former WA shire deputy chief Sam Curulli granted bail on new fraud and drug charges

Ex-Shire of Coorow officer faces allegations of corruption, stealing and methylamphetamine supply

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time1 min
Sources2 outlets
Sam Curulli, the former deputy chief executive of the Shire of Coorow in Western Australia's Mid West, has been granted bail after appearing in Perth Magistrates Court on dozens of new charges including fraud, corruption, stealing and drug offences.

Curulli, 27, was arrested on Saturday and appeared via video link on Tuesday to apply for bail on the latest charges, which were laid late last week. The charges relate to his time as deputy chief executive of the Shire of Coorow and include fraud, corruption and stealing between May and December 2025.

Police have alleged he used council expense accounts to obtain items for his own personal benefit, and also sold some of the ordered products and kept the money for himself. He was dismissed from the council after the financial allegations emerged, which involved thousands of dollars.

The new charges also allege Curulli possessed drugs and supplied methylamphetamine. The court granted bail, although the conditions of his bail were not detailed in reports. No plea was reported during the hearing, and Curulli is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven otherwise.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The allegations involve a senior council employee and the suspected misuse of ratepayer funds for personal gain.
  • The addition of drug-related charges broadens a case that began as an investigation into financial misconduct.
  • The outcome could affect public confidence in how smaller local governments oversee senior staff and council spending.

Background

Local government executives are responsible for significant purchasing and financial decisions on behalf of their communities. When those systems fail, the damage can be measured in both dollars and lost public trust. Curulli was dismissed after the initial fraud allegations emerged, and police later laid new charges after a continued investigation. He now faces a combined set of financial and drug-related allegations that will be tested in court.

Key Perspectives

Police: Have alleged that Curulli used expense accounts to obtain items for himself, sold some of those items and kept the proceeds, and that he also possessed drugs and supplied methylamphetamine. Defendant: Curulli applied for bail on the new charges and was granted it. No plea or substantive defence has been reported. Critics/Skeptics: The scale of the alleged offending, spanning several months, is likely to raise questions about how council expense and purchasing controls could be bypassed without detection.

What to Watch

  • Whether Curulli enters a plea at his next court appearance.
  • Whether police lay any further charges as their investigation continues.
  • Any announcement from the Shire of Coorow about changes to financial oversight or recovery of the alleged losses.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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