Prostitutes and bags full of cash: the downfall of a local mayor
The high-profile scandal that brought down one of Australia's most popular local government politicians, Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale, could help lift the lid on illegal council activities.
The spectacular downfall of Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale started with a trap at Melbourne airport. Robert Shakespeare
It's 5.50am on a Saturday in May, 2017 and Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale, one of Australia’s most successful local government politicians, is at the airport heading home after a decadent visit to Melbourne.
The previous afternoon he had spent an hour with prostitute “JoJo” at the Westin Hotel. It was a session allegedly organised by a property developer with a project in Pisasale's south-east Queensland city of 210,000 people, who for legal reasons we’ll call Mr A.
Liam WalshReporterLiam Walsh writes on investigations and companies with The Australian Financial Review. He has won multiple media awards, worked in Japan and is now based in Brisbane. Email Liam at liam.walsh@afr.com.au
