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Joel Barlow as pictured on Queensland Ten News Screengrab via YouTube.

Australian official 'took $11m in one week to fund playboy lifestyle'

Joel Barlow was arrested earlier today as it was revealed he diverted money due to be paid to charities into his own bank account.

AN AUSTRALIAN HEALTH official has been arrested after he allegedly stole AU$11 million (€8.4 million) in just one week.

Joel Barlow, real-name Hohepa Morehu-Barlow, is said to have stolen a total of AU$16million over a three year period from Queensland Health, a government funded organisation, where he worked as a finance manager, BBC News reports.

In what is being described as the most significant fraud cases in the history of Australia, the 36-year-old is accused of having diverted funds intended to go to charities and private service providers into his own bank account.

Over three years he allegedly stole $5 million but it is reported that in the last two weeks he allegedly deposited one huge transaction of $11 million into his bank account, a move which prompted the deputy director of Queensland Health to report him, the Australian reports.

A four-day nationwide manhunt ensued before Barlow was detained earlier today after being found hiding in his home, reportedly after he attempted to take his own life.

Watch a report from TenQueenslandNews:

He is expected to be charged with fraud while the Queensland Health organisation is to be wound up, the Australian government has said.

The Australian also reports some aspects of Barlow’s lavish lifestyle including allegations that he bought jetskis, and wakeboarding accessories along with a BMW 340i sedan and two 2009-model Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG sports cars which were each worth $130,000 and paid for in cash.

The Telegraph reports that Barlow’s playboy lifestyle also included a waterside home worth some $5.7 million which included a garage for his cars, a wine cellar, a grand piano, and pontoon on the Brisbane river.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, complaints were made about Barlow last year but were not followed up by authorities.

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    Mute Marty Simpson
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    Mar 12th 2012, 9:46 PM

    The slogan shall be, ” no way Jose”…..,

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    Mute Barry
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    Mar 12th 2012, 10:11 PM

    People don’t actually realise that it really hasn’t rained all that much in the last two years, overall throughout the country we’re really not had an awful lot of rain.

    Sure the ground can be wet alot but thats generally due to overnight showers, there not very heavy and prolonged though, for anyone that cycles to work or spends alot of time outdoors walking or running you’ll know it doesn’t actually properly rain all that much.

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    Mute Liam Byrne
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    Mar 12th 2012, 9:31 PM

    Money to be made here folks!

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    Mute Finnian Curran
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    Mar 12th 2012, 11:37 PM

    YAY FOR GLOBAL WARMING

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    Mute Mike Turner
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    Mar 13th 2012, 1:28 AM

    Water is such a valued natural resource in which Ireland has plenty. Will this be part of the asset stripping?

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    Mute Peter Dignan
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    Mar 13th 2012, 8:24 AM

    that water that fall’s at night .should be saved .ever hear rainwater harvesting .

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    Mute Sandra Murphy
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    Mar 13th 2012, 8:51 AM

    Rainwater harvesting? That sounds like a great idea. Any companies around Dublin do that? Could save a lot of money when those water meters go in.

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    Mute Tom Colgan
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    Mar 13th 2012, 10:36 AM

    People complain about the rain and now ya’s want it back. Jaysus make up yiz’er minds will ya’s

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    Mute Uncle Mort
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    Mar 13th 2012, 9:46 AM
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    Mute Seamus McDermott
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    Mar 13th 2012, 2:08 PM

    I thought the headline said “Hornpipes banned…”

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