Disgraced MP who fraudulently claimed public money avoids jail
Former South Australian MP Fraser Ellis has avoided jail for deliberately rorting a parliamentary allowance, but maintains his actions showed a "casualness" or "recklessness" and "certainly not criminality".
Fraser Ellis, a former South Australian MP from the Yorke Peninsula, has been handed a suspended 10-month jail term for fraudulently claiming public money. The magistrate found Ellis guilty of seven counts of deception, accusing him of deliberately lying about public funds. Ellis was convicted for misusing the Country Members Allowance, an accommodation fund for regional MPs, claiming $4,676 for 20 nights between December 2018 and May 2020.
Magistrate Simon Smart emphasized that Ellis's actions were not mistakes, but deliberate falsehoods involving public money. Ellis maintained that his actions were a result of casualness and recklessness, not criminality. The magistrate acknowledged Ellis's youth, lack of prior convictions, and family responsibilities in imposing the good behaviour bond.
Ellis expressed gratitude for the lengthy legal proceedings ending and expressed disagreement with the court's decision, stating he did not believe his actions were criminal.
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