$500,000 fine for woman in Integrity Commission contempt case

The Integrity Commission says a woman who ignored a court order to remove alleged defamatory social media posts about the agency has been found in contempt and fined $500,000, with the threat of jail time if she does not pay.

The commission says Julie Malcolm failed to comply with an earlier court order to remove and cease making the alleged remarks, and has since been fined $500,000, which must be paid within 10 days of being served with the order--or serve 21 days' imprisonment in default of payment.

In a statement on Tuesday, the anti-corruption agency outlined that in July 2023, it filed a claim against Malcolm seeking damages, aggravated and/or exemplary damages, interest, costs, and such further or other relief as the court deems just, regarding alleged defamatory statements made on various social media platforms about the commission.

It added that August it filed an application seeking injunctions requiring Malcolm to remove all such posts and restrain her from making similar remarks.

The order was granted that same month by a judge.

The commission said Malcolm failed to comply with the court's order, prompting it to return to court in February 2025 to seek contempt of court relief against her.

The application, it said, sought several remedies, including a formal declaration of contempt, an acknowledgement of the breach, committal to prison, legal costs, and any further relief deemed appropriate by the court.

The Integrity Commission said the court determined that Malcolm had violated the prior order and was therefore in contempt of court.

As a consequence, she was fined.

"The commission welcomes the court's ruling, which reinforces the significance of upholding compliance with court directives. This ruling underscores the court's firm stance on enforcing compliance with its directives and the serious consequences of defiance."

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