Craig William Froome, a former University of Queensland program manager, was fined after pleading guilty to fraud for using his employer’s corporate credit card to pay for his wife’s international flights. The Brisbane District Court heard the transactions took place in June 2015 while Froome was working at the university’s Global Change Institute.

Froome, 64, frequently traveled overseas for work-related conferences and meetings, and on this particular trip to Europe, his wife accompanied him. The cost of her flights, totaling more than $4,400, was charged to the university’s corporate card, according to court records.

The university confronted Froome about the unauthorized charges in September 2015. Despite being offered opportunities to repay the amount, he provided inconsistent excuses, at one point attributing the incident to errors by the travel agency. However, text message exchanges presented by the prosecution contradicted his claims.

Following his resignation from the university in 2016, the travel expenses were deducted directly from Froome’s paycheck. His defense counsel, barrister Penny White, acknowledged the misuse of the card but described it as a single isolated incident. White emphasized that the university had been fully reimbursed before criminal charges were filed.

The court also heard that the case experienced delays due to Froome’s ongoing health issues, including complications that would later necessitate an organ transplant.

Judge Sarah Farnden ultimately imposed a $2,500 fine on Froome. The penalty reflects the court’s view of the fraudulent use of the corporate credit card but also takes into account the reimbursement made to the university and Froome’s personal circumstances.