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. He was suspended and then sacked in 2020 but IBAC and the County Court needed more time to establish the whole truth and sentence appropriately.
Pinder's fate, entirely of his own making, is a sad end to the career for someone who left school in England 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. He was suspended and then sacked in 2020 but IBAC and the County Court needed more time to establish the whole truth and sentence appropriately.
Pinder's fate, entirely of his own making, is a sad end to the career for someone who left school in England at fifteen to repair trains, rising to lead Australia's highest patronage and fastest growing regional railway.
* 3/11/2020 my blog post with background on Operation Esperance
County Court of Victoria sentencing remarks and video
County Court of Victoria sentencing remarks and video
* 3/9/2026 Her Honour Judge Todd's accepted account of events, sentencing and sentencing remarks (including pdf and video - copyright County Court of Victoria)
* 3/9/2026 Her Honour Judge Todd's accepted account of events, sentencing and sentencing remarks (direct link to pdf document)
* Sentence of DPP v Pinder & Ors before Judge Todd - 3 September 2026 (direct link to YouTube video)
Her Honour's comments are detailed yet readable. Reading and/or watching is highly desirable to understand this case.
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