Mayoral candidate Rodger Pryce declines to comment on ICAC report

An Independent Commission Against Corruption report has again been made public which details links between a disgraced former deputy mayor and one of the current mayoral candidates.

Mark Graham and Rodger Pryce.

Coffs Harbour mayoral candidate Rodger Pryce has declined to comment on a report linking him to former disgraced deputy mayor Brian Zouch.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption report from the early 90s was thrust into the spotlight on Thursday by former Coffs Harbour City councillor Mark Graham.

Mr Graham, who was a Greens councillor from 2008 to 2012, is not contesting the December 4 election but still advocates for environmental issues.

He says he is no longer affiliated with The Greens.

Mr Graham published several pages of the 1993 report on the investigation into the conduct of Brian Zouch on his Facebook page on Thursday evening.

The report outlined how Mr Pryce came in contact with deputy mayor Brian Zouch while he was a real estate agent and developer associated with some major projects like Opal Cove.

The commission’s investigation revealed that Mr Zouch made contact with Mr Pryce as he was in “dire financial trouble”.

The investigation uncovered several payments totalling more than $100,000 that were made into accounts controlled by Mr and Mrs Zouch.

Jonathan Cassell, Rodger Pryce and Tony Judge are three of the new candidates who have put their hand up to run for Mayor.

While Mr Pryce said he was unaware of the nature of any of the payments, the commission’s investigation reported that an envelope arrived at Mr Pryce’s office and he later phoned Zouch to say “the money is here”.

Mr Pryce has always denied any wrongdoing and pointed out the commission report did not recommend any further action against him.

Mr Pryce told Triple M radio on Friday morning that he thought the money was a loan. This was also stated in the commission’s report.

He has also indicated that an affair between a member of his office at the time and a developer played a part in the deal.

Mr Pryce has also repeatedly claimed credit for initiating the commission’s investigation.

A post on his Facebook page on November 15 read:

I had an unexpected call from a Councillor who was on Council many years ago, the conversation went something like...

Posted by Rodger Pryce for Mayor - Coffs Harbour City Council on Sunday, November 14, 2021

Mr Pryce is one of 10 mayoral candidates in the December 4 elections.

He launched his Together We’ll Fix It party in May.

At the time he said the potential for intense, sometimes personal, scrutiny came with the territory.

He had been asked about the harsh criticism current mayor Denise Knight had faced in relation to the Cultural and Civic Space.

His party has been highly critical of the Gordon Street project.

Ms Knight is not contesting the elections.