School’s shaded area draws a blank: Money launderer received grant from Liberal MP

A CONVICTED money launderer who drove controversial Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer at his wedding got a grant approval from Liberal MP for a school outdoor learning area.

Carl Trad with Auburn Deputy Mayor, Salim Mehajer

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A CONVICTED money launderer got an $18,000 grant approval from Liberal East Hills MP Glenn Brookes for a school covered outdoor learning area.

Carl Trad, who was jailed for money laundering in the 1990s and was seen driving Auburn Deputy Mayor Salim Mehajer around at his wedding, won the grant in 2014 under the Community Building Partnership scheme, under which MPs dole out $300,000 a year to local projects.

But East Hills Public School is yet to get its COLA. Mr Trad has yet to access the $18,000 and the Premier’s department confirmed last night the money had not been paid.

The grant is the second under Mr Brookes to go to Mr Trad’s Australian Multicultural Christian Society. In 2013 the society received $10,000 for “purchase and fit out of a catering van to feed the homeless”.

Carl Trad, a jailed money launderer, has been given grant approval for a covered school outdoor learning area.

Mr Trad said that grant had been used to buy a bus, which was now used by Christian charities. “People come out and say ‘Can we use the bus?’,” Mr Trad said.

A Department of Premier and Cabinet spokeswoman yesterday said while funding had been approved for the food bus, no receipts or documentation had been received. The $18,000 for the COLA had not been paid “as the department is awaiting official documentation from the applicant”.

Mr Trad said of the COLA funding: “I’m waiting for the grant. When they pay me the grant, I’ll pay the school.”

The Australian Multicultural Christian Society was accused of providing hundreds of water bottles with Mr Brookes’ moniker on them during last year’s election campaign.

Mr Trad denied paying for the bottles, which Mr Brookes said he distributed at his own expense.

Mr Brookes denies that Mr Trad helping him with his election campaign had led to the grants being awarded to his organisation.

“The school told me they didn’t receive the money,” Mr Brookes said.

Last night, the Education Department said Mr Brookes’ office had informed East Hills Public School it would not be receiving the money and it had originally been “incorrectly informed” that the application was successful.

Labor MP Lynda Voltz said: “The Baird government needs to explain how this grant was approved and what measures they will undertake to improve the lack of accountability.”

Carl Trad is the Australian distributor for Koegensigg cars, which Salim Mehajer hired for his wedding.

Ms Voltz told the Legislative Council last year that Mr Trad was “no stranger” to Mr Brookes’ electorate officer Jim Daniel.

Premier Mike Baird would request a full report from his department about the grants, a spokesman said last night.

Asked who at the school had encouraged him to apply for the money for the COLA, Mr Trad said: “I can’t remember the name.”

Mr Trad is the Australian distributor for Koegensigg cars, which Mr Mehajer hired for his wedding.

Mr Mehajer said: “I do not know Carl. The vehicles were hired ... with drivers.”