Arabic version: إيقاف موظفين في «ويسترن باور» بسبب مراجع شخصية

According to ABC News, three Western Power employees have been stood down after providing favourable character references for senior manager Jeffrey David Spinner, who was jailed for raping a female colleague during a 2024 work trip. WA Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson ordered an immediate investigation into the government-owned utility.

Spinner, 59, was sentenced in June to five years in prison. The court heard he took the woman to his hotel room when she was heavily intoxicated. She had earlier vomited, needed assistance to walk and later woke to Spinner raping her, according to the court account.

District Court Judge Gary William Massey said the offending was out of character after considering references, including one from a colleague who described Spinner as a highly respected work colleague known for professionalism, integrity and a strong work ethic. The judge also found the case serious, with aggravating circumstances, and said the victim had been left scared, vulnerable and uncertain about her future.

Ms Sanderson called the case shocking, disturbing and completely unacceptable. She said the staff who supplied references showed an appalling lack of judgement and said the review was intended to take about two weeks, with its outcomes to be made public. She also ordered Western Power to review how it communicated with government and escalated serious issues.

Western Power chief executive Gair Landsborough said the utility had investigated the 2024 incident, immediately stood Spinner down and later terminated his employment. He said management learned only on Monday evening that three employees had provided character references, after contact from a journalist. Western Power has begun a review of its safety and culture program, including its code of conduct, leadership training and mandatory training on sexual harassment and misconduct.