Former mayor’s misconduct charge mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court today, gets adjourned

A former mayor charged with misconduct by the CCC has the matter mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court today.

Former Moreton Bay mayor Allan Sutherland’s misconduct charge. Picture: Bradley Cooper.

A FORMER mayor charged with misconduct by the Crime and Corruption Commission had the matter heard in court today.

Former Moreton Bay mayor Allan Sutherland was charged on December 18 last year with two counts of misconduct in relation to public office.

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The matter was mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court today and adjourned to August 17.

At the time he was charged, Sutherland was still mayor and was automatically suspended from the role as per the legislation.

He had previously announced that he would retire at the end of his term.

In a statement from his lawyer at the time, Sutherland said he intended to defend the charges.

“I intend to defend these charges fully, and I am confident that my position will be vindicated when all of the evidence is available and considered,” he said.

It is understood that at least one of the charges relates to a property Sutherland owns at Paradise Rd, Burpengary.

The CCC has been widely praised for its efforts in cleaning up local government in Queensland.

Its investigations into local government over the past two years have led to the arrests of several high profile figures including the mayors of Ipswich, Logan and Fraser Coast, and now Moreton Bay.

He was the former mayor of Redcliffe City Council and was elected mayor of Moreton Bay Regional Council in 2008 and re-elected in 2012 and March 2016.

The CCC stated on September 2 that it was investigating Moreton Bay Regional ­Council over a number of ­allegations.