Geraldton man charged with stealing about $2.9 million

The former trustee of a native title claim trust account has been charged with stealing as a servant.

The police financial crimes squad alleges the 68-year-old stole about $2.9 million to partly purchase the lease of a Geraldton hotel.

In 2004, the Geraldton man was appointed as trustee of a people’s trust established to receive royalty payments from mining companies within the Meekatharra Murchison region.

He was removed as trustee in July 2017.

The man is due to appear before the Geraldton Magistrate’s Court on January 9.