THE former director of the Connect Global drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility has been granted bail after being charged with allegedly perverting the course of justice by falsifying reports about client drug use.
Ross Pene, 68, was arrested last Wednesday at the controversial Swan Bay facility, following a year-long investigation.
Strike Force Toopuntul was established in May 2024 by State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad North to investigate the rehabilitation centre.
On Friday 11 October 2024, strike force detectives executed a search warrant at the facility, where they seized electronics and documents.
It was uncovered that an employee of the facility was allegedly issuing fraudulent reports about patients’ drug use, who were required to be at the facility drug-free as part of their bail undertaking.
Following extensive inquiries, about 8.40am on Wednesday 28 May, strike force detectives executed a search warrant and arrested Mr Pene.
He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was charged with five counts of “do act etc intending to pervert the course of justice” relating to five patients.
He was refused bail to appear in Raymond Terrace Local Court, where he pleaded not guilty.
The Connect Global facility closed in February.
