Former Eastern Victorian MP Russell Northe has pleaded guilty to two charges of wilful misconduct while in public office.
The former MP for the regional seat of Morwell pleaded guilty to submitting false administrative expenditure returns for 2019 and 2020, alongside auditor certificates.
The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) originally charged him with 45 counts of falsifying documents, using false documents and submitting false documents.
They now have withdrawn 43 of those charges.
The anti-corruption watchdog alleged Northe falsified reports submitted to the Victorian Electoral Commission to convince the department administrative funds were spent correctly and avoid repaying them.
Northe faced Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court on Friday via web link, for the first time since the charges were filed in October last year.
He appeared to be distressed, closing his eyes to compose himself after delivering his guilty plea.
His lawyer Mark Woods previously submitted documentation stating Northe's psychiatrist believed he was unfit to stand trial.
Following his plea, Northe was placed on bail and his matter was escalated to the Melbourne County Court, where he will appear in late August.
IBAC earlier alleged Northe falsified and used documents in relation to expenses for leasing an office, contracting staff and buying a printer.
Charges relating specifically to those allegations have been withdrawn.
Campaigning for gambling reform
Northe previously held the seat of Morwell, centred on the Latrobe Valley, as an independent state MP.
Prior to that, he was a National Party member and at one point, Minister for Small Business and Minister for Energy and Resources.
He took a leave of absence in 2017, after he resigned from the National Party.
At the time he made his battle with depression, stress and gambling addiction public, including large debts he had incurred as a consequence.
Despite his troubles, he was re-elected the following year as an independent with preferences flowing from both the National and Liberal parties, serving until he announced he would not recontest the seat in 2022.
In September 2022, prior to the November state election, he lobbied both the state government and opposition to take action on gambling reform by appointing a minister for gambling safety and conducting an inquiry.
A month later, IBAC filed the charges.
