The South Australian Film Corporation says there is no evidence of illegal or unethical behaviour by one of its former executives Craig Raneberg, who was last week sentenced to more than six years jail after embezzling nearly $2.7 million from law firm Minter Ellison.
Raneberg, an active participant in the South Australian arts scene, was employed by the SAFC between 1995-2000 as corporate services manager (1995-97) and then director business affairs. His role included managing the SAFC's collection and disbursement service for Australian producers.
Some news articles from the period referred to Raneberg as the SAFC chief financial officer and then acting chief executive officer although the spokesperson said the SAFC had no record of this. She said the state screen agency’s finances are independently audited – during Raneberg’s employment audits were completed by the Auditor General’s Department.
“To the best of our knowledge nothing in the Auditor General’s audits has revealed any irregularities,” the spokesperson said.
Raneberg, now 47, embezzled nearly $2.7 million from the Adelaide and Darwin offices of Minter Ellison by electronically transferring the funds into his personal accounts while working as chief financial officer over nearly seven years, according to ABC News.
Minter Ellison is unlikely to recover any money according to Adelaide District Court judge, Geoffrey Muecke, after Raneberg spent the money on lavish overseas holidays and expensive dinners.
Raneberg was also treasurer of the Adelaide Fringe Festival board until just prior to his arrest in September 2011, and has also held positions with State Opera South Australia, according to The Australian.
Contact this reporter at bswift@www.if.com.au or on Twitter at @bcswift.