News
29 January, 2026
Bowral man accused of $1.3 million council fraud under strict bail conditions until next month
Stuart Carless brings exclusive information on the man arrested today, including that he lives in Bowral.
A Bowral man accused of defrauding ratepayers across three local government areas of almost $1.3 million has been released on bail – subject to strict conditions.
Martin Thomas Dimec must report to the Southern Highlands Police Station in Moss Vale three times a week and has been ordered to surrender his passport.
He must also reside at the same Bowral address and remain of good behaviour with no fresh offending until his next court appearance in February.
Mr Dimec, 59, did not appear in Parramatta Local Court this morning on charges of 41 counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by disadvantage and one count of holder of public misconduct him or herself.
The bail conditions will remain in place until he appears before Parramatta Local Court again on Febrruary 19.
Mr Dimec was arrested at Parramatta Police Station late on Wednesday (January 28) and remanded in custody.
His alleged offending relates to three councils – Goulburn, Shoalhaven and Murrimbidgee – over a period of approximately 12 years between 2012 and 2024.
Durring that time Mr Dimec allegedly authorised and approved fraudulent invoices totalling $1,295,029.04 and had the money deposited into accounts directly under his control.
The Financial Crimes Squad Fraud Unit established Strike Force Mullagh in May 2024 to investigate his alleged offending.
Mr Dimec worked for Murrumbidgee Shire Council between 2021 and 2024 as its Director of Infrastructure.
He was allegedly fired from his position in February 2024 because of concerns over fraud – prompting a NSW police investigation and subsequent Taskforce.
He worked at Shoalhaven City Council between 2016 and 2020 where some of the offences were also allegedly committed.
His roles at Shoalhaven included Manager of Technical Services, Asset Manager and Manager of Unit Design.
He worked at Goulburn-Mulwaree Council between 2015 and 2016 as its Construction Manager and Project Manager, Design.
Mr Dimec has also worked as a project engineer at Campbelltown City Council – although none of the allegations relate to his role at Campbelltown.
According to his online profile, Mr Dimec claimed to bring “extensive experience in infrastructure management and project delivery within local government environments across NSW”.
It is unknown what he has been doing since his position at Murrumbidgee Shire Council was terminated almost two years ago.
At the time of his appointment in January 2021, Murrumbidgee Shire Council said it was “very pleased” to welcome Mr Dimec as its new Director of Infrastructure.
“Tom brings a wealth of experience and expertise in engineering and asset management to this new position, together with excellent managerial and operational skills,” it said at the time.
Read More: Southern Highlands, Wollondilly, Southern Tablelands, Goulburn