Latest news with #RossPene
ABC News
28-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
Former Hunter rehab director accused of falsifying drug reports for alleged criminals
A former rehab facility director has been granted bail after pleading not guilty to perverting the course of justice by falsifying drug reports for accused criminals. Police arrested Ross Retini Pene, 68, at the Connect Global facility at Swan Bay in the NSW Hunter region on Wednesday. His arrest came after a year-long investigation into the facility by the State Crime Command's Raptor Squad North. Connect Global provided alleged criminals with alcohol and drug addiction rehabilitation services while they were on bail, before the facility closed in February. Raptor Squad officers charged Mr Pene with five counts of perverting the course of justice. He fronted Raymond Terrace Local Court on Wednesday where he pleaded not guilty to all charges. Police facts tendered to the court alleged Mr Pene issued fraudulent reports about the drug use of accused criminals staying at the facility. The accused men were required to be at the facility drug-free as part of their bail conditions. Mr Pene is a Christian pastor, and the founder and former director of Connect Global. In court on Wednesday, Magistrate Gregory Moore granted Mr Pene bail with strict conditions, including that "an acceptable person" put up $20,000 as a surety, with the money to be forfeited if bail conditions were breached. The New Zealand-born Mr Pene must also report to Raymond Terrace Police Station each Monday, Wednesday and Friday and surrender his passport. He cannot contact or go near any prosecution witness and must be of good behaviour. Mr Pene is due back in Raymond Terrace Local Court on June 10.
Sydney Morning Herald
28-05-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
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.
The Age
28-05-2025
- The Age
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.
The Advertiser
28-05-2025
- The Advertiser
Former Port Stephens rehab centre CEO charged with perverting the course of justice
THE former chief executive of under fire Swan Bay rehabilitation centre Global Connect has been charged with perverting the course of justice for allegedly issuing false reports about participants' drug use. Christian Pastor Ross Pene, 68, appeared in Raymond Terrace Local Court on Wednesday afternoon charged with five counts of perverting the course of justice after a 12-month investigation by Strike Force Toopuntul. He pleaded not guilty to all counts and was granted bail on a number of conditions, including reporting to police and a $20,000 surety. The matter was adjourned until next month. The Swan Bay centre had operated a community outreach program for men at "Fisherman's Village" for a decade before it was closed earlier this year after sustained criticism from police, bail breaches and raids. Former Channel 7 TV star Andrew O'Keefe was among those granted bail to reside in the village, where 29 of the on-site cabins were used for rehabilitation purposes and 10 were used for tourism. According to police, the State Crime Command's Raptor Squad North began investigating the rehabilitation centre on the banks of the Karuah River in May, 2024. Detectives raided the centre on October 11 last year and seized electronic devices and documents that they allege uncovered Pene issuing fraudulent reports about the drug use of participants who were required to be at the facility drug free as part of their bail conditions. Pene was arrested at Swan Bay on Wednesday morning and taken to Raymond Terrace police station where he was charged and refused bail by police. He spent the day in the cells before he was granted bail on Wednesday afternoon. THE former chief executive of under fire Swan Bay rehabilitation centre Global Connect has been charged with perverting the course of justice for allegedly issuing false reports about participants' drug use. Christian Pastor Ross Pene, 68, appeared in Raymond Terrace Local Court on Wednesday afternoon charged with five counts of perverting the course of justice after a 12-month investigation by Strike Force Toopuntul. He pleaded not guilty to all counts and was granted bail on a number of conditions, including reporting to police and a $20,000 surety. The matter was adjourned until next month. The Swan Bay centre had operated a community outreach program for men at "Fisherman's Village" for a decade before it was closed earlier this year after sustained criticism from police, bail breaches and raids. Former Channel 7 TV star Andrew O'Keefe was among those granted bail to reside in the village, where 29 of the on-site cabins were used for rehabilitation purposes and 10 were used for tourism. According to police, the State Crime Command's Raptor Squad North began investigating the rehabilitation centre on the banks of the Karuah River in May, 2024. Detectives raided the centre on October 11 last year and seized electronic devices and documents that they allege uncovered Pene issuing fraudulent reports about the drug use of participants who were required to be at the facility drug free as part of their bail conditions. Pene was arrested at Swan Bay on Wednesday morning and taken to Raymond Terrace police station where he was charged and refused bail by police. He spent the day in the cells before he was granted bail on Wednesday afternoon. THE former chief executive of under fire Swan Bay rehabilitation centre Global Connect has been charged with perverting the course of justice for allegedly issuing false reports about participants' drug use. Christian Pastor Ross Pene, 68, appeared in Raymond Terrace Local Court on Wednesday afternoon charged with five counts of perverting the course of justice after a 12-month investigation by Strike Force Toopuntul. He pleaded not guilty to all counts and was granted bail on a number of conditions, including reporting to police and a $20,000 surety. The matter was adjourned until next month. The Swan Bay centre had operated a community outreach program for men at "Fisherman's Village" for a decade before it was closed earlier this year after sustained criticism from police, bail breaches and raids. Former Channel 7 TV star Andrew O'Keefe was among those granted bail to reside in the village, where 29 of the on-site cabins were used for rehabilitation purposes and 10 were used for tourism. According to police, the State Crime Command's Raptor Squad North began investigating the rehabilitation centre on the banks of the Karuah River in May, 2024. Detectives raided the centre on October 11 last year and seized electronic devices and documents that they allege uncovered Pene issuing fraudulent reports about the drug use of participants who were required to be at the facility drug free as part of their bail conditions. Pene was arrested at Swan Bay on Wednesday morning and taken to Raymond Terrace police station where he was charged and refused bail by police. He spent the day in the cells before he was granted bail on Wednesday afternoon. THE former chief executive of under fire Swan Bay rehabilitation centre Global Connect has been charged with perverting the course of justice for allegedly issuing false reports about participants' drug use. Christian Pastor Ross Pene, 68, appeared in Raymond Terrace Local Court on Wednesday afternoon charged with five counts of perverting the course of justice after a 12-month investigation by Strike Force Toopuntul. He pleaded not guilty to all counts and was granted bail on a number of conditions, including reporting to police and a $20,000 surety. The matter was adjourned until next month. The Swan Bay centre had operated a community outreach program for men at "Fisherman's Village" for a decade before it was closed earlier this year after sustained criticism from police, bail breaches and raids. Former Channel 7 TV star Andrew O'Keefe was among those granted bail to reside in the village, where 29 of the on-site cabins were used for rehabilitation purposes and 10 were used for tourism. According to police, the State Crime Command's Raptor Squad North began investigating the rehabilitation centre on the banks of the Karuah River in May, 2024. Detectives raided the centre on October 11 last year and seized electronic devices and documents that they allege uncovered Pene issuing fraudulent reports about the drug use of participants who were required to be at the facility drug free as part of their bail conditions. Pene was arrested at Swan Bay on Wednesday morning and taken to Raymond Terrace police station where he was charged and refused bail by police. He spent the day in the cells before he was granted bail on Wednesday afternoon.
