No slug was planted: Dandenong CEO denies corruption, doctoring of evidence

Allegations Dandenong Council officers doctored evidence and “planted” a slug in their quest to close suburban catering company I Cook Foods have been branded a “conspiracy” and “untrue” by the organisation’s CEO.

Appearing before a parliamentary inquiry into the case on Wednesday, council chief John Bennie defended the council against bullying and corruption claims, while claiming there had been risks around food safety discovered at the business’ Dandenong premises.

It comes after the actions of council officers and Department of Health staff decisions were scrutinised during the inquiry last week, which is examining whether officials breached any laws or regulations around the company’s closure.

Founder Ian Cook has alleged officials lied in an original inquiry held in 2020.

“He has accused almost everyone of lying, and I absolutely reject that we lied to the committee,” Mr Bennie said on Thursday.

“He says there was a concerted effort to close down his business so Community Chef would benefit, he says pressure was exerted, he calls it a conspiracy.

“But let’s call it what it is – allegations council conspired with the DHHS and Professor Brett Sutton to pervert the course of justice.

“There was no conspiracy.”

I Cook Foods was closed in 2019 after an elderly woman died in Knox Private hospital, which the caterer supplied, with listeriosis suspected as a contributing factor in her death.

Allegations before the inquiry have included council officers planting a slug at the business and doctoring evidence, which Ian Cook believes was part of a concerted push to shut him down.

Mr Cook has alleged his business was considered a commercial threat to the council’s partly owned catering company, Community Chef.

Mr Bennie rubbished the claims during the hearing, calling it a diversion tactic.

“No slug was planted, no images were doctored,” he said.

“It has always been Council’s position that all of this is a diversion.”

Former Greater Dandenong Council food inspector Kim Rogerson last week told the inquiry the council was operating under a culture of corruption and bullying, and accused the council of wanting to “destroy” I Cook Foods.

Ms Rogerson claimed she had observed a council officer editing a photo that depicted a slug in the kitchen, which the caterer alleged was planted by the council worker to justify closing it for a month in February 2019.

“I’ve been away from the City of Greater Dandenong for over two years now, and only now do I feel safe to say that Dandenong Council operates under a culture of corruption and bullying,” she told the inquiry.

“When I appeared in front of you last time, I was scared, and honestly I was concerned for my safety.”

Council environmental health officer Elizabeth Garlick and health co-ordinator Leanne Johnson both told the hearing on Thursday evidence had not been doctored and denied a slug had been planted.

Mr Bennie told the panel the council had co-operated with the police investigation and had provided in excess of 2000 documents.

“If there is something rotten in Greater Dandenong I’d expect Victoria Police to find it and to take action,” he said.

“On the basis of my knowledge and the knowledge of Ms Johnson and Ms Garlick, no wrongdoing has occurred.

“The allegations of both Ms Rogerson and Mr Cook are completely and utterly untrue.”

The case has also brought the Department of Health and chief health officer Brett Sutton under scrutiny for their handling of and involvement in the investigation.

Professor Sutton signed a closure order for the business in 2019, believing the woman’s infection was linked to sandwiches provided by I Cook Foods.

Professor Sutton will front the inquiry on Thursday.

rhiannon.tuffield@news.com.au

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