Former Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale filmed in Melbourne hotel as he took package containing $50,000

FORMER Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale was filmed in the lobby of a Melbourne hotel as he took a package containing $50,000 the night before it was seized from him as he attempted to travel home to Ipswich.

Dressed in a hospital dressing gown, Cr Paul Pisasale announced his resignation at a press conference. Picture: Peter Wallis

• Shock revelation in Pisasale cash claim
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FORMER Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale was filmed in the lobby of a Melbourne hotel as he took a package containing $50,000 the night before it was seized from him as he attempted to travel home to Ipswich.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the money was seized by the Australian Federal Police as suspected proceeds of crime after officers questioned Mr Pisasale last month.

Mr Pisasale, who sensationally resigned as mayor on Tuesday because of poor health, has denied any knowledge of wrongdoing and claimed he did not know the package contained money.

It is understood he claims the package contained legal documents relating to a property settlement being handled by his friend, Brisbane barrister Sam Di Carlo.

The package was delivered to his hotel on Friday, May 12, with Mr Pisasale meeting the delivery man in the hotel lobby.

Former Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale announced his resignation to a media conference at a private hospital in Ipswich. Picture: Peter Wallis

He then took the package to his room and it was there that he claims he discovered there was $50,000 cash inside.

The former mayor then questioned Mr Di Carlo, who assured him it was legal to carry the cash, which was needed for the case.

It is understood Mr Pisasale did not reveal more information at a press conference where he announced his resignation due to legal issues.

Mr Di Carlo yesterday separately confirmed this version of events to The Courier-Mail and said the money was for a legal settlement for a client.

Mr Pisasale was admitted to hospital at 4pm on Monday, about four hours after his home and office were raided by police.

It is understood the CCC obtained footage from the lobby of the hotel Mr Pisasale was staying at showing him being handed the package containing the cash last month.

A file picture of Brisbane barrister Sam Di Carlo at Brisbane Supreme Court.

The Courier-Mail has been told that the footage had since been shown to the former mayor by the CCC. But the watchdog declined to confirm this yesterday.

“The CCC declines to comment while the investigation remains ongoing,” a spokesman said.

An AFP spokesman confirmed the events surrounding Mr Pisasale being questioned at Melbourne Airport.

“The AFP can confirm an AFP canine discovered a sum of cash being carried by a 65-year-old male passenger at Melbourne Airport on Saturday, 13 May, 2017,” he said.

“The cash was restrained, suspected to be the proceeds of crime. Inquiries into this matter are ongoing.”

The spokesman said dogs were uses to “detect firearms, explosives and cash”.

A source close to Mr Pisasale who visited him in hospital yesterday said the for­mer mayor was devastated.

“He feels like he’s let himself down, and his family and everyone,” he said.

“He couldn’t say anything about this document yesterday (Tuesday) because he was waiting for Sam Di Carlo to get permission from his client, which he got at 1pm (yesterday).”

Mr Pisasale’s shock resignation came at 10.20am Tuesday from the boardroom at St Andrew’s Hospital in Ipswich.

In a media conference, in which he appeared in a gown and bright red pyjamas, the mayor said he would co-operate with any investigation.

The long-time sufferer of multiple sclerosis revealed that he had been ill for about four weeks.

Deputy Mayor Paul Tully is now acting mayor.

additional reporting by RENEE VIELLARIS, LIAM WALSH