Christian pastor from Andrew O'Keefe rehab arrested over alleged fake drug records
A Christian pastor who founded a controversial drug rehabilitation centre for men accused of serious crimes – which once treated former game show host Andrew O'Keefe – has been arrested and charged with faking reports about patients' drug use.
Ross Pene, 68, who claims links to Hillsong and C3 pentecostal churches, was arrested by officers from Strike Force Toopuntul on the site of the now-defunct Connect Global centre in Port Stephens on Wednesday, and faces five charges relating to perverting the course of justice.
'It was uncovered an employee of the facility was allegedly issuing fraudulent reports about patients' drug use who were required to be at the facility drug-free as part of their bail undertaking,' police alleged in a statement. The charges relate to five patients.
Sources with knowledge of the investigation say detectives working with the taskforce, part of the anti-gang squad Raptor, were looking into allegations of doctored urinalysis tests. Rehabs usually require participants to remain off drugs, and use urinalysis to enforce the rule.
In December, a Herald investigation revealed concerns about lax security the Mid North Coast facility, which had become a popular alternative to prison remand for men accused of serious offences such as drug trafficking, violence, and firearms charges.
If its clients were convicted, time spent at the centre – a former tourist resort with a pool and tennis court – could count towards their sentences.
Addiction-ravaged O'Keefe became a client after being accused of holding a sex worker by the throat (the charges were dropped). So was real estate high-flyer turned Dover Heights stabber Matthew Ramsay, before he was sent back to jail for wandering off and getting high while on bail.
A parade of alleged high-level drug dealers has also cycled through the 'Oyster Barn' common room.
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