http://www.news.com.au/national/peter-slipper-summonsed-by-australian-federal-po...Peter Slipper summonsed by Australian Federal Police
Steve Lewis
News Limited Network
January 07, 20135:17PM
Peter Slipper as he resigned as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Picture: Ray Strange Source: News Limited
FORMER Speaker Peter Slipper could face the possibility of a jail sentence if found guilty of offences after being summonsed to appear in court over allegations he rorted his Cabcharge entitlements.
After an investigation lasting nearly nine months, the Australian Federal Police said it had served Mr Slipper with a summons "in relation to three offences of Dishonestly Causing a Risk of a Loss to the Commonwealth".
The alleged offences would breach the Commonwealth Criminal Code, if proven, and carry a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment.
The legal setback for Mr Slipper comes just a few weeks after the former Speaker had a major victory in the Federal Court when allegations of sexual harassment were thrown out.
Those allegations were brought by a former adviser, James Ashby, who also alleged that he witnessed Mr Slipper signing blank Cabcharge dockets during several visits to Sydney in early 2012.
The AFP, after an initial investigation, referred matters to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
In a statement, the DPP said it could "confirm that the AFP have sworn an information and summons which alleges three offences against section 135.1(5) of the Criminal Code (Cth) in relation to allegations concerning the use of Cabcharges by Mr Slipper".
The DPP said it would be "inappropriate to comment further" as the matter was before the Canberra Magistrates Court.
The former Speaker has been forced to repay more than $20,000 during the past decade in relation to family travel and other entitlement perks.