A former staffer in the office of the Northern Territory's anti-corruption watchdog has been fined $5000, but will not have a conviction after disclosing information in a Snapchat video.
On Monday afternoon, Kate Tayla Johnson, 23, pleaded guilty to one count of unauthorised disclosure of information in the Darwin Local Court.
The prosecution retracted a charge of disclosing confidential information.
In March 2022, Ms Johnson was hired as an executive assistant to the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption, Michael Riches.
The prosecutor said that the defendant is entrusted with access to official corporate mail received by the office of the ICAC NT.
The court heard on May 31 that Ms Johnson opened a piece of mail sent to the ICAC office, which included a letter written by an inmate at the Darwin Prison, addressed to Mr Riches.
The defendant posted the video as a story on her Snapchat social media account, which included detail viewable to approximately 100 to 150 people. On June 3 the police spoke to Ms Johnson and seized her phone, but the Snapchat video had been deleted automatically by the app.
She later attended Palmerston police station to participate in an interview where she admitted to the disclosure of information and was issued a notice to appear.
The prosecution said the offence was a serious breach of trust, and it was important that the public had confidence that confidential communication would be respected.
The defendant's conduct has adversely affected the reputation and integrity of the ICAC, the prosecutor said.
They said there was no suggestion that there was any danger or compromise caused by the breach, or that Ms Johnson gained any advantage.
Ms Johnson's lawyer said she had since resigned from her position.
Judge David Woodroffe said he acknowledged that the offence had caused Ms Johnson some personal cost and deep regret, and that she had accepted responsibility.
You have an impressive work history for someone so young. She was fined $5000, with no conviction, and will have to pay $150 for a victim's levy.