Redland mayor Karen Williams to sue Nine News over claims she took over dying woman’s $500k will

A South East Queensland mayor is threatening legal action ahead of a TV story about her role as the executor of a dying woman’s will.

A South East Queensland mayor is threatening legal action ahead of a television story about her role as the executor of a dying woman’s will.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams claims Nine News Queensland defamed her in a story, due to broadcast on Monday.

Ms Williams said the network wrongly alleged she had taken control of the $500,000 estate of Redland resident Angela Petersen after a bequest through the charity The Redland Foundation.

Teasers for the story, due to air on Monday night at 6pm, show members of Ms Petersen’s family looking at a family photo album and claiming they had never met Ms Williams.

Nine News was contacted for a comment.

The mayor, who has been the target of media attention since crashing her luxury council car and pleading guilty to high-range drink driving, said she had no knowledge Ms Petersen had listed her as an executor of the will, until the 85-year-old’s solicitor contacted her in July.

Ms Williams also said the will did not include any personal, material or financial benefit to her and she would discharge her role as executor once the probate process began.

“I have served Redland city every day for more than 18 years and I won’t let one mistake — a drink driving charge that I have taken full responsibility for — make me a target,” Ms Williams said.

“While I was involuntarily named executor of Angela’s will, there is a court process that needs to take place before this can be confirmed and Angela’s final wishes of supporting victims of domestic and family violence fulfilled.

“It saddens me that they are knowingly misrepresenting a situation in an attempt to further attack me.”

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams claims promotional ads for a Nine News story are defamatory and has threatened to sue the network.

Ms Williams said she believed Ms Petersen had approached her staff at a candle lighting vigil for victims of domestic violence when she offered to lend her support.

Ms Petersen’s sister Pauline Davis said she attended a solicitor appointment with Angela in 2019 to support her in finalising her last will and testament.

“Angela articulated her desire for everything to be left to a charity that supported victims of domestic and family violence,” Ms Davis said.

“My sister was motivated to assist women and children who were victims of domestic and family violence, not only by the advocacy of Redland City Council and the mayor but she had also provided shelter for a close friend who escaped an abusive relationship.

“Angela wanted her home to continue providing safety, shelter and support for others like her and felt Redland Foundation could ensure help was directed to local women and children first.”

Redland Foundation was set as a charity trust in the absence of a Public Trust Office in Redland and through bequests and donations supported a range of events and organisations and individuals.

It helped support the couple bashed during the 2012 arson attack on the Dunwich Post Office and it raised funds for disaster relief after the 2011 floods.

It is also a major supporter of the Dîner en Rouge, Ms Williams’ premier annual fundraiser event to raise awareness and more than $400,000 in funds to help prevent domestic and family violence.

Funds raised through Diner En Rouge have been used to partner with the State Government in furnishing new accommodation facilities and security for local shelter Maybanke as well as supporting Centre for Women & Co and the Redland Community Centre.

Redlands Mayor Karen Williams leaves court on August 1 after being convicted on a high-range drink driving charge, following a traffic crash in Cleveland on June 23. Picture: Matthew Poon