Aruna P Rajakaruna

Member’s name: Mr Aruna P Rajakaruna
Date of Hearing: 17 June 2014
Division: Victoria
Tribunal: Disciplinary Tribunal

On 17 June 2014 the Disciplinary Tribunal determined Mr Aruna P Rajakaruna had breached Article 39(a)(ii)G of the Constitution on sixteen (16) occasions in that he pleaded guilty to, or been found guilty of (with or without conviction), any offence (criminal or otherwise, but excluding any offence relating to traffic infringement) before any Court in any jurisdiction (which, in the case of a finding or conviction has not been overturned on appeal)…’ in respect of pleading guilty to, and being found guilty:

• in the County Court of Victoria on 19 February 2013, that he obtained property by deception (2 counts)
• in the County Court of Victoria on 19 February 2013, that he attempted to obtain property by deception (2 counts)
• in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria on 18 April 2013, that he obtained property by deception (12 counts).

It was found by the County Court that Mr Rajararuna had taken approximately $150,000 from his employer. It was subsequently ascertained that Mr Rajakaruna had also stolen approximately $50,000 from a former employer.

Mr Rajakaruna was sentenced to a total effective term of imprisonment of two years and seven months.

Mr Rajakaruna did not attend the Disciplinary Tribunal Hearing.

Penalty and costs 

The Disciplinary Tribunal found the Complaints sustained and imposed the penalty of forfeiture of Membership and that Mr Rajakaruna not be eligible for readmission for membership for seventeen years.

The Disciplinary Tribunal also ordered that prior to any application for readmission to Membership, Mr Rajakaruna must first:

• successfully complete the CPA Program or its equivalent, but is not eligible to enrol until the expiration of the seventeen year forfeiture period
• pay a fine of $30,000
• pay CPA Australia’s costs of $467.78.

The Disciplinary Tribunal also ordered that at no time should Mr Rajakaruna be allowed to enrol in the Public Practice Program or its equivalent and is never to be granted a CPA Australia Public Practice Certificate.