A former staffer in the office of the Northern Territory's anti-corruption watchdog has been fined $5,000, but will not have a conviction recorded, after disclosing information in a Snapchat video.
Kate Tayla Johnson, 23, pleaded guilty to one count of unauthorised disclosure of information in the Darwin Local Court on Monday afternoon.
Another charge of disclosing confidential information was withdrawn by the prosecution.
Ms Johnson was employed as an executive assistant to the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption, Michael Riches, in March 2022.
"The defendant in her work … is entrusted with access to official corporate mail received by the office of the ICAC NT," the prosecutor said.
Confidential letter captured in Snapchat video
The court heard on May 31, Ms Johnson opened a piece of mail sent to the ICAC office which included a letter written by an inmate at the Darwin Prison addressed to Mr Riches.
"Sometime before midday the defendant … used the Snapchat application and made a boomerang video which captured part of the letter."
"Shortly thereafter the defendant posted the video as a story on her Snapchat social media account … [which] included detail viewable to approximately 100 to 150 people."
On June 3 police spoke to Ms Johnson and seized her phone, but the Snapchat video had been automatically deleted by the app.
She later attended the Palmerston police station to participate in an interview, where she admitted to the disclosure of information and was issued a notice to appear.
'Personal cost and deep regret'
The prosecution said the offence was a serious breach of trust, and that it was crucial the public had confidence that confidential communication would be respected.
"There's been a detrimental effect to the reputation and integrity of ICAC due to the defendant's conduct," the prosecutor said.
But they said there was no suggestion that there was any danger or compromise caused by the breach, or that Ms Johnson gained any advantage.
Ms Johnson's lawyer said she'd since resigned from her position.
Judge David Woodroffe said he acknowledged the offence had caused Ms Johnson "some personal cost and deep regret," and that she had accepted responsibility.
"I also have regard that there are 29 character references that talk about your honesty, your integrity, your professionalism up to this moment in time," he said.
"You have an extraordinary and impressive work history for someone so young."
She was fined $5,000, with no conviction recorded and will also have to pay a victim's levy of $150.
