Former V/Line CEO James Pinder and Transclean boss George Haritos got put in the slammer on Thursday September 3, 2026 for corruption over cleaning contracts uncovered by IBAC's Operation Esperance about five years ago. Associates of Haritos, including Alex Kyritsis, Steven Kyritsis, Maria Tsakopoulos, received community correction orders.
Their conduct cheated Victorian taxpayers and, in Pinder's case, exhibited personal greed that betrayed the trust that we should be able to have in public officials.
Pinder's fate, entirely of his own making, is a sad end to the career for someone who left school at fifteen to repair trains, rising to lead Australia's highest patronage and fastest growing regional railway.
Their conduct cheated Victorian taxpayers and, in Pinder's case, exhibited personal greed that betrayed the trust that we should be able to have in public officials.
Pinder's fate, entirely of his own making, is a sad end to the career for someone who left school at fifteen to repair trains, rising to lead Australia's highest patronage and fastest growing regional railway.
* 3/9/2026 Her Honour Judge Todd's accepted account of events, sentencing and sentencing remarks (pdf document)
Her Honour's comments are detailed yet very readable. It's a ripping yarn that you should read (which is why I've kept my comments here short).
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