Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale allegedly stopped at airport by police with bag of cash

OUTGOING Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale was allegedly stopped by police at an interstate airport with $50,000 in a bag, just weeks before his resignation as Mayor.

Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale talks to media at St Andrews Hospital in Ipswich. Picture: Peter Wallis

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OUTGOING Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale was allegedly stopped by police at an interstate airport with $50,000 in a bag in mid-May, just weeks before his resignation as Mayor.

The find by police, with the assistance of dogs, allegedly came as Mr Pisasale was leaving Melbourne to travel home to Brisbane, multiple sources have told The Courier-Mail.

The Courier-Mail understands Mr Pisasale has since offered an explanation for the money.

Paul Pisasale was taken to his resignation press conference in a wheelchair at St Andrews Private Hospital in Ipswich. Picture: Tim Marsden

The money is understood to have been seized.

The Crime and Corruption Commission — with the help of Queensland police — subsequently launched raids yesterday at both Ipswich City Council and at Mr Pisasale’s home.

It is understood computers were seized from the council offices.

The CCC confirmed its involvement in the raids.

“(The CCC) executed a search warrant at Ipswich City Council yesterday. The search was related to an ongoing CCC investigation. As the investigation is ongoing, it is not appropriate for the CCC to comment further,” the watchdog said.

Mr Pisasale announced his resignation at a hospital this morning, but brushed aside questions about an impending CCC announcement.

“I’ll wait and see what that’s about. I’m unaware of that,” he said.

But he also said that “over the years I’ve co-operated wholeheartedly with the CCC”.

In previous investigations, which found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing, Mr Pisasale has proclaimed his innocence.

Email Sarah Vogler or Liam Walsh