Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell is today expected to announce whether he will appeal the verdict in his fraud related trial, with a jury last week finding him guilty of numerous charges.
The Independent MP last Thursday was found guilty of 25 fraud related charges – but not guilty of one after the District Court spent more than three months hearing the matter.
Mr Bell, who was accused of misappropriating a significant amount of public funds, had steadfastly maintained his innocence.
Mr Bell had pleaded not guilty to 20 counts of alleged theft and six counts of alleged dishonestly dealing with documents. The jury found him guilty of all of the theft counts and on five counts of dishonestly dealing with
documents, while finding him not guilty of one charge of dishonestly dealing with documents.
Mr Bell now faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment for each count of theft, and up to 15 years for each count of aggravated dishonestly dealing with documents.
The alleged offences relate to his work for an independent learning centre in the Limestone Coast and prior to him being elected as a Liberal MP in 2014.
Mr Bell was charged with the alleged offences in 2017 after an investigation by South Australia’s Independent Commissioner Against Corruption.
The prosecution had alleged that Mr Bell had used his position to steal more than $400,000 from not for profit educational organisations between 2009 and 2013.
Despite the matter dragging on for seven years, the 51-year-old had continued with his usual parliamentary and other duties and was re-elected as an Independent MP in 2018 and 2022.
Last week’s verdict sparked plenty of speculation about Mr Bell’s position in parliament, however it will not be up to the government to decide his fate, rather parliament as a whole will make that decision.
A government source indicated Mr Bell’s situation could be treated similarly to that of fellow independent and Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis, who pleaded not guilty to 23 charges of deception over his use of the country members’ allowance and in July was found guilty on four counts and not guilty on the remaining 19.
The parliament has not made a decision regarding the matter of Mr Ellis, given he has indicated he will appeal the decision in his matter.
The SE Voice understands Mr Bell may be treated similarly, meaning his parliamentary fate will not be immediately clear.
