Court hears phones tapped for ‘prostitute’ and other keywords in Paul Pisasale investigation

The lead investigator into an alleged corruption plot involving Paul Pisasale has told a jury that one of the keywords used to screen thousands of tapped phone calls for relevance, was “prostitute”.

Sam De Carlo outside the Supreme Court in Brisbane. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

The lead investigator into an alleged corruption plot involving Paul Pisasale and his barrister mate has told a jury one of the keywords used by the Crime and Corruption Commission to screen thousands of tapped phone calls for relevance, was “prostitute”.

Detective Sergeant Adam Edwards, who was lead investigator into allegations of corruption involving Salvatore ‘Sam’ Di Carlo and former Ipswich mayor, Pisasale, told the District Court in Brisbane on Wednesday that investigators were tapping phones of Mr Di Carlo, Pisasale, Melbourne developer Chris Pinzone and others.

Sam De Carlo outside the Supreme Court in Brisbane. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Sgt Edwards was giving evidence during the trial of Mr Di Carlo, 66, who has pleaded not guilty to corruptly giving or offering benefits to Pisasale to promote a development at Yamanto between October 2016 and June 2017.

The crown alleges Di Carlo and Mr Pinzone offered or did give Pisasale cash, and paid for meals and sex workers to have Pisasale champion the stalled development.

Barrister Saul Holt KC, for Mr Di Carlo, told the jury there were no bribes paid to Pisasale.

Hundreds of tapped phone calls have been played to the jury.

Former Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale. Picture: Glenn Hunt/AAP

During cross examination by Mr Holt, Sgt Edwards said “I know prostitutes (were) screened as a point of interest”.

He said he believed calls were screened if they related to prostitutes and a development project at Yamanto, near Ipswich, then calls were passed on to investigators.

“Not sure whether it was any prostitutes or prostitutes and Mr Pinzone and Melbourne,” Sgt Edwards said of the screening parameters.

“It was very regular communications with and about prostitutes and organising prostitutes,” Mr Holt suggested, referring to the subject matter of Pisasale’s phone calls.

“Oh, I wouldn't say regular,” Sgt Edwards replied.

The trial before District Court chief judge Brian Devereaux continues.