A former South Australian transport official used government credit cards to fund home renovations, electronics and family water sports, a court has heard.
Michael William King, 48, faced Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday after pleading not guilty to 14 counts of failing to act honestly as a public sector employee and seven counts of unlawful possession.
In opening his trial, prosecutor Karen Ingleton told the court King was issued a government card while working as a co-ordinator within the Transport Department's marine safety sector.
She said an audit of King's purchases showed his expenses "soared" from $322 in 2011 to $55,800 in 2012 and $64,300 in 2013.
His alleged fraud was discovered after the department launched an investigation to track down equipment purchased by staff.
"What came to light was that there were lots of things which had been purchased using DPTI funds that simply could not be located," Ms Ingleton said.
It is alleged King used government funds to purchase items for a home renovation including cladding, timber, power tools and a lock.
The court heard he also bought and modified a trailer to tow a jet-ski, as well as wetsuits, life-jackets, four-wheel-driving equipment, a generator, a television and a Blu-Ray player.
Ms Ingleton said some of the purchases - made at retail stores including Bunnings Warehouse - were paid for using King's own government-issued card, while others were made using other employees' cards but approved by King.
Some of the purchased items were found when anti-corruption investigators raided King's home in September 2014, including a Samsung television hidden behind a lounge suite.
Photos found on his work phone showed a renovation using the purchased timber in progress, as well as his family using the water sports equipment.
King was charged in 2016 following an investigation by the state's Independent Commissioner Against Corruption, Bruce Lander.
The trial opening has been stalled for several months after magistrate David McLeod ruled the search warrants used by the ICAC were illegal and the evidence collected invalid.
But that decision was later overturned by a Supreme Court justice.
His trial is expected to last about two weeks, with former colleagues and his wife among those set to give evidence.
Australian Associated Press
