Four men have been charged with a combined total of 110 offences related to the alleged fraud of $1.65 million at the ACT Public Trustee's office.
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According to an ACT Policing spokesman the offences were disclosed during an extensive investigation.
The ACT Public Trustee has repaid more than $1.7 million to 87 clients including interest and overhauled risk management strategies after being alerted to the alleged embezzlement.
The suspect transactions took place over seven years and are believed to include debit card fraud, thefts from cash machines, contractor kickbacks, and false paperwork trails.
In March last year, The Canberra Times revealed the office had stood down two staff after it discovered money was allegedly fraudulently taken from people whose assets it held in trust.
The trustee helps to care for Canberrans who, as a result of illness, accident or disability, must give someone else the power of attorney to make decisions on their behalf. The small office also administers estates of the deceased.
The matter was first referred to ACT Policing for investigation in January 2014.
All four will appear before the ACT Magistrates Court on November 10, 2015.
A report on the alleged fraud by audit firm KPMG was not made public although the office's latest annual report reveals the extent of challenges within the organisation.
"In June 2015 the Public Trustee finalised the investigation of irregularities discovered in client financial accounts maintained under enduring power of attorney and under order of the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal," the report said.
"PTACT's fraud/corruption mitigation strategy has been reviewed to incorporate KPMG's recommendations."
The internal review resulted in 15 new control measures to mitigate fraud risks including a review and upgrade of accounting software, codes of conduct, personnel change and the appointment of an independent chair.
All senior managers at the office were required to attend industry fraud and risk training seminars provided by KPMG and the Justice and Community Safety Directorate.
"The Public Trustee also attended an independent commission against corruption fraud and risk Workshop in Sydney from 25-26 March 2015," the report said.
The risk management strategy was overhauled during the 2014-15 in collaboration with other state public trustees, with all staff now required to sign a staff code of conduct.
