5 hours ago
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An ex-council deputy chief executive – touted as the youngest person in WA to ever hold the position – has been arrested in a public car park after allegedly stealing from the Shire of Coorow for his own personal benefit.
Sam Curulli, 27, is accused of attempting to gain benefit by fraud, corruption, and stealing between May and December 2025, while helping to run the Mid West council.
A WA Police spokeswoman said Curulli used expense accounts to obtain items for his own personal benefit, and also sold some of the ordered products, pocketing the money for himself.
“It will be further alleged the day after his employment was terminated, the man attended the premises and stole products belonging to the former employer, valued at approximately $3,000,” she said.
“Police will allege upon termination, the man committed an act of perjury by unlawfully accessing social media and email accounts to send himself false messages, which were utilised to obtain a court order.”
A search warrant of a nearby house in North Fremantle allegedly found MDMA and stolen property.
Curulli has been charged with acting corruptly, stealing, attempting to gain benefit by fraud, perjury and possessing a prohibited drug.
He appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday for a variation to his bail conditions where the court was told his charges related to the alleged theft of electronic items including a computer monitor and laptop, an Apple iPad, Apple pencil, Apple air tag and other items.
Curulli had allegedly purchased the items using Shire funds before selling them on.
The commerce-graduate was appointed deputy chief executive at the Shire of Coorow in 2025, when he was 26 years old, after having worked as a governance officer at two metropolitan councils.
According to his LinkedIn profile, he left the Shire in December 2025, and in February this year, commenced as the deputy chief executive at the Shire of Cuballing.
A ‘welcome to the team’ notice posted after Curulli’s appointment at the Shire of Coorow, the council stated that he was “an experienced individual with a demonstrated history across a range of portfolios including governance and strategy, legal and risk, procurement and contracts, community development and special projects”.
“Sam is very keen to be part of the Coorow, Leeman and Green Head communities and cannot wait to get started,” it read.
His court matter was adjourned to April 23 for legal advice, and he was released on a $50,000 surety.
