‘Completely vindicated’: Former mayor cleared of fraud will run for council

Former Ipswich mayor Andrew Antoniolli will eye a return to politics in March’s council elections, declaring himself “completely vindicated” after being cleared of fraud.

Former Ipswich Mayor Andrew Antoniolli. Pics Adam Head

Former Ipswich mayor Andrew Antoniolli will eye a return to politics in March’s council elections, declaring himself “completely vindicated” after being cleared of fraud.

Mr Antoniolli will stand as a candidate in Ipswich City Council’s division three at the March 16 election.

The then-mayor was charged with fraud in 2018 following a Crime and Corruption Commission investigation into his purchase of charity auction items using council cash.

Former Ipswich Mayor Andrew Antoniolli is seen arriving at the Magistrates Court in Ipswich, in June, 2019.

Mr Antoniolli was the second mayor after Paul Pisasale to face charges, prompting the state government to use special legislation to sack Ipswich City Council.

Mr Antoniolli – now working as a real estate agent in Ipswich – was found guilty in June 2019 but cleared by appeal in December 2020, clearing the path for him to run for election in 2024.

“The CCC conducted a witch-hunt into the council in general, but I was getting incredible support from the community which just saw everything the CCC presented as lies,” he said.

“I’ve had an enormous amount of support from, the public who have asked me to come forward again.

“Council is supposed to be closest to the people but in living memory I can’t remember one being so disconnected … leadership is very poor and even employees are begging me to come back because morale is so low.”

Mr Antoniolli called for residents to vote against first-term mayor Teresa Harding and considered mentoring any new mayor “a vital part of my role”.