A former chief executive of V/Line has been sentenced to two years and eight months in prison after pleading guilty to charges of misconduct in public office and accepting undisclosed commissions. This verdict was part of a broader investigation into corruption involving the awarding of significant cleaning contracts to the company Transclean.

In addition to the former CEO, four other individuals received sentences for their involvement in the scandal related to multi-million-dollar cleaning contracts awarded by V/Line and Metro. James Pinder, aged 58, will need to serve a minimum of one year and nine months before he is eligible for parole and is also facing deportation back to England.

The court proceedings revealed that Pinder had formed an undisclosed relationship with George Haritos, the owner of Transclean, and unlawfully received $330,000 to ensure that Transclean was favored in contract awards. Much of this money was allegedly used to purchase a home in Williamstown after Pinder was denied a bank loan.

Pinder was dismissed from his position as V/Line’s CEO following his testimony at a public inquiry and subsequent charges. Judge Todd remarked during the sentencing that Pinder now faces uncertainty regarding his future in Australia.

George Haritos, aged 71, also admitted to his role in the conspiracy, facing charges related to secret commissions. Described by the judge as a key figure in the scheme, Haritos was sentenced to two years and three months in prison, with the possibility of parole after one year and five months. His family was visibly emotional during the sentencing.

Alex Kyritsis, 69, a director at Transclean and Haritos’ brother-in-law, along with his nephew Steven Kyritsis, 42, who worked at Transclean, received community correction orders for their involvement in the conspiracy. Maria Tsakopoulos, 45, who had a prior relationship with Haritos, also received a community corrections order for her role in attempting to destroy evidence related to the illicit payments.

Additionally, Steven Collin, a solicitor, had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to destroy documents and was sentenced to a one-year community corrections order. In 2024, former Metro trains manager Peter Bollas was sentenced to a community corrections order lasting three years and six months for his involvement in the corruption case.