A Melbourne-based Australian Border Force employee who accessed sensitive information relating to Home Affairs cargo systems has been fined $4,000.

Jonah Hsu was convicted and sentenced to the fine at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on November 21 following a corruption investigation led by the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity (ACLEI).

Hsu was arrested in June 2017 and later admitted to providing unlawful assistance to an associate who was allegedly involved in importing illicit tobacco to Australia.

“The ABF officer pled guilty on the basis that the associate requested the accused to access restricted information on the Department of Home Affairs cargo systems,” an ACLEI spokesperson told Government News.

“Following this request the accused accessed both restricted cargo and intelligence holdings relating to the associate.”

Integrity Commissioner and ACLEI head Jaala Hinchcliffe said the case was a reminder of the responsibilities involved in relation to Commonwealth information.

“This is a reminder of the importance of acting with integrity, particularly when it comes to accessing the sensitive information which is held by Commonwealth agencies,” she said.

The investigation, codenamed Operation Wilson was conducted with the Department of Home Affairs and Victoria Police.

ACLEI was established to prevent and investigate corruption issues relating to Commonwealth law enforcement agencies.