28-05-2025
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.
