A high-ranking bureaucrat accused of stealing up to $25million from taxpayers is fighting for life in hospital after reportedly self harming.
Police, fire and ambulance crews were called to the home of Western Australian Department of Communities assistant director general Paul Whyte in Mosman Park, Perth’s south-west, on Sunday afternoon.
Whyte, 56, was seen being stretchered from his luxury home wearing breathing apparatus into one of three ambulances at the scene.
The medical emergency came two days after the suspended official was granted bail in Perth Magistrates Court.
Police, paramedics and fire crews (pictured) were called to the Perth home of Western Australian Department of Communities assistant director Paul Whyte
Whyte is charged with stealing more than $2.5 million from taxpayers over a two year period.
The court heard on Friday the figure could be as high as $25million.
Whyte was transported Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital ‘under priority’ where he was being treated for what ambulance officers and police suspected was self-harm, The Australian reported.
The hospital and WA Police would not provide an update on Whyte’s status on Monday, but Police Minister Michelle Roberts said she had been told he was in a critical condition.
‘I don’t have any update,’ she said on Monday.
Ms Roberts said she was surprised the magistrate granted Whyte bail but hadn’t heard the reasons.
Paul Whyte (pictured) was suspended after he was charged with stealing more than $2.5 million from taxpayers over a two year period
‘The judge has made that decision weighing up the circumstances,’ she said.
The minister declined to say whether she believed Whyte should again be brought into custody.
‘That’s not my call – that’s for professional people to independently and objectively make that call.’
But many people would believe ‘he should have not been in a position where this could have occurred’ and measures would need to be put in place to ensure the men faced court.
‘People will want to see both of these men remain safe, they will want to see them proceed through the criminal justice system,’ Ms Roberts said.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt said he was ‘stunned’ Whyte got bail while Child Protection and Women’s Interests Minister Simone McGurk told reporters she was ‘absolutely furious’ at the extent of the alleged theft.
‘Particularly because it’s occurred in a department who work with the most vulnerable of West Australians.’
Three ambulance vehicles were seen outside Whyte’s luxury home in Perth’s south-west
News footage outside Whyte’s home also showed several fire trucks and a hazmat vehicle, along with up to eight police cars.
‘At this time investigations are continuing in relation to the circumstances,’ WA Police State Operations Acting Inspector George Payton said at the scene.
‘Medical assistance is currently being given to an occupant of this address by trained medical staff.’
Whyte was suspended after he was charged on Thursday.
Whyte and physiotherapist Jacob Anthonisz, 43, are accused of raising false invoices for payments to two ‘shelf’ companies.
No services or products were provided, and the men used the money for their own personal purposes, police allege.
Paul Whyte (pictured on Friday) is in critical condition in hospital and will reappear in court next month
The charges relate to $2.5 million of public money, but police prosecutors told court on Friday that they have evidence up to $25 million over the last 11 years could have been allegedly stolen.
Both men were granted bail and will reappear in court on December 13.
Whyte also had to pay a $500,000 personal undertaking and a $500,000 surety.
Corruption and Crime Commission chief executive Ray Warnes said the allegations, if proven, could be the most serious case of public sector corruption in Australia.
Attorney-General John Quigley has promised a thorough inquiry.
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