A former CSIRO executive used government funds to make more than $400,000 worth of personal purchases, including to buy a luxury car and a jetski, police allege.
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Mark Stuart Wallis, 44, of Griffith, did not appear in the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday for the case's first appearance following a summons.
But his defence lawyer Taden Kelliher told the court Mr Wallis was pleading not guilty to all charges against him.
Australian Federal Police will allege the man "abused his position and resources to facilitate the illegal purchase of multiple personal items", including a television, computer, tablet, smart-phone, clothes, a fitness tracker, and a "high-quality" road bike.
The former senior public servant has been charged with dishonestly causing a loss to the Commonwealth, intentionally making a false statement in a statutory declaration, abuse of public office and using a forged document.
The maximum penalty for the most serious offence is 10 years imprisonment.
Federal police launched an investigation into the man's alleged purchases following a referral from the CSIRO.
Officers searched the man's home on July 17, 2018, seizing a number of items as evidence of the alleged crimes.
“Australian taxpayers put their trust in public officials to perform vital roles for our community," the AFP's acting commander criminal assets, fraud and anti-corruption, Kate Ferry said in a statement on Friday.
"The alleged conduct of this man is an abuse of public office, and the AFP owes it to the community to investigate and prosecute such matters to the full extent of the law."
The case returns to court on March 29.
