It was millions of dollars in mining royalties that was meant to be spent for the benefit of the Groote Eylandt community.
Instead, tens of millions were spent on 156 cars and boats, fridges, a barge, gambling at the casino and charter flights. Key points:
Groote Eylandt Aboriginal Trust earns millions each year from nearby South32 manganese mine.
Total of $34 million disappeared from GEAT coffers between 2010 and 2012
Former public officer Rosalie Lalara pleads guilty to misappropriating almost $500,000
The latest chapter in the extraordinary saga played out in the Darwin Supreme Court on Monday.
The former public officer of Groote Eylandt Aboriginal Trust (GEAT), Rosalie Lalara, had earlier pleaded guilty to misappropriating almost $500,000.
Her bail was revoked and she is now behind bars awaiting sentencing.
A total of $34 million disappeared from the GEAT coffers between 2010 and 2012, leaving just $400,000 remaining in the account.
While Lalara has pleaded guilty to a fraction of the missing millions, exactly what happened to the rest remains a mystery.
But those involved in the case said little of it appeared to have been spent on housing, education or the needs of the community.
