A former chief executive of one of Victoria's largest rail networks is among seven people charged as part of an investigation into serious corruption in the state's public transport sector.
The Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission on Friday announced the charges following its investigation into misconduct in V/Line and Metro Trains' tendering and procurement processes.
The former chief executive of V/Line, James Pinder, has been charged with nine offences, including four counts of misconduct while in public office, four counts of receiving secret commissions and one charge of conspiring to solicit secret commissions.
A former manager at Metro Trains, Peter Bollas, who was the head of fleet operational support, has been hit with a charge of receiving secret commissions and another charge of conspiring to solicit secret commissions.
The anti-corruption commission's investigation into the public transport sector, dubbed Operation Esperance, looked into allegations that senior public officials improperly influenced the awarding of major contracts with V/Line and Metro Trains.
The inquiry also heard Melbourne's trains were not cleaned properly during its first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Transclean, which provided cleaning services to both V/Line and Metro, was accused of making secret cash payments to senior transport officials.
Two directors of Transclean have also been charged.
One faces three counts of giving secret commissions and two counts of conspiring to give secret commissions.
The second director has also been charged with conspiring to give secret commissions, while a staff member for the company faces the same charge.
A second Transclean staff member has been charged with giving secret commissions and conspiring to attempt to pervert the course of justice.
A lawyer representing a Transclean staff member has also been charged with conspiring to pervert the course of justice.
The first court appearance for the matter will be held at Melbourne Magistrates Court on December 21.
V/Line and Metro Trains have been contacted for comment.
