Ipswich Mayor Andrew Antoniolli charged with seven counts of fraud

QUEENSLAND’S Local Government Minister says he is “shocked and dismayed” and is seeking advice after Ipswich Mayor Andrew Antoniolli was charged by the Crime and Corruption Commission with seven counts of fraud.

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IPSWICH Mayor Andrew Antoniolli has been charged by the Crime and Corruption Commission with seven counts of fraud.

He is the second Ipswich mayor to face CCC charges in less than a year.

Cr Antoniolli, who replaced Paul Pisasale as mayor after his resignation, was charged at the Ipswich city watchhouse today.

The CCC alleges that Cr Antoniolli used Ipswich council funds for his own use to buy auction items from charitable organisations between October 26, 2011 and May 20 2017.

Ipswich Mayor Andrew Antoniolli leaves the Ipswich Watchouse this afternoon.

He was granted watch-house bail and is expected to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on May 16.

The Ipswich councillor, first elected to council in 2000 at age 29, became mayor last August, just two months after long-time mayor Paul Pisasale resigned before being arrested on corruption and misconduct charges.

The CCC declined to comment further this afternoon, but Cr Antoniolli has released a statement.

“It is with much disappointment and frustration I confirm that today I was charged by the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC),” he says in the statement.

“Let me be clear — I have never been involved in corrupt or criminal activity and I intend to fight these charges,” the statement continues.

“These charges will not define me.

“In the mayoral by-election last year I stood on a platform of accountability and transparency. I have been committed to bringing about much-needed change at Ipswich City Council — cultural change, policy change, governance change, leadership change.

“I promised to lift the veil of secrecy and to review our policies and procedures to increase transparency, and while there is more work to be done, we have made incredible inroads in regards to significant culture and governance reform.

“I have a wonderful executive team, professional staff serving the community, and a loving family.

“I have served our city and its people for 18 years, 28 years if you include my time as police officer and I do not intend to step down any time soon.”

Former Ipswich City Council Chief Operating Officer of works, parks and recreation, Craig Maudsley appeared in a Brisbane court today. File picture

Cr Antoniolli’s charges come as the CCC today levels a third misconduct charge against former Ipswich council works, parks and recreation officer Craig Maudsley, 54.

The CCC released a statement this afternoon. It did not name Maudsley, but confirmed a 54-year-old man had been charged with misconduct in public office.

Maudsley appeared today in court on a separate charge of misconduct in relation to “making an admission in abuse of authority of office” between January 1, 2016 and January 25, 2017.

He charge alleges that, with the intention to dishonestly gain a benefit for council contractor Wayne Francis Innes, he did an act to procure services to remove sediment at Colleges Crossing.

Maudsley was first charged with a separate misconduct offence last September over allegations he dishonestly gained a benefit for council contractor Innes by causing financial detriment to another consultant. Innes is separately facing multiple charges.

Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe is seeking legal and department advice on the situation at Ipswich. File picture

Queensland’s Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe is seeking legal advice on what action the Government can take following today’s developments.

But he would not say if that included sacking the council and bringing in administrators.

Mr Hinchliffe said he was “shocked and dismayed” that the council leadership was again facing serious matters.

“I will be seeking further, extensive legal advice tonight and I know there is a resolve within the Government to act in ways in which we can swiftly,” he said.

When asked if the council could be sacked he responded that he was seeking legal and departmental advice “in relation to my powers in this particular situation” as well as in relation to his plans to bring in automatic stand down powers for Mayors and councillors facing charges.

“I am seeking advice across a range of potential actions the Government might take and a range of potential reforms that might respond to the circumstances that arise out of this situation,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington called for administrators to be brought in immediately.