Fairfield councillor Paul Azzo denies bribe allegations

LIBERAL Fairfield councillor Paul Azzo has slammed allegations that he offered his council wages to a branch president.

Fairfield Liberal councillor Paul Azzo

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FAIRFIELD Liberal councillor Paul Azzo has slammed allegations that he offered his council wages over four years as a bribe to Edensor Park/Canley Vale Liberal Party branch president Andrew Nguyen in return for political control, describing the accusations as “false and baseless”.

In a letter to NSW Police Force Commissioner Andrew Scipione, Mr Nguyen alleged Cr Azzo “attempted to bribe me for the purpose of maintaining control over the selection of Liberal Party candidates for Fairfield City Council”.

“Councillor Paul Azzo offered me $200,000 to let him keep control of the Fairfield Local Government Conference of the Liberal Party of Australia (NSW Division),” Mr Nguyen wrote.

In a statutory declaration obtained by The Advance Mr Nguyen alleges Cr Azzo said “I will put $200,000 into a trust account as security for what I am promising you”.

Andrew Nguyen ran as a Liberal candidate for Fowler in 2013. Picture: Nowytarger Renee

The pair met at Vy Vy Garden Cafe in Canley Heights on December 25. Cr Azzo denied all accusations of bribery. “It was a Christmas catch-up, nothing more,” Cr Azzo said.

“His allegations that I requested his account details to transfer money into and that I suggested that it all be documented, if true, would make me look like a bumbling idiot, which I am not.”

Cr Azzo – who considers Mr Nguyen a “friend” – said he did not believe the man had anything to gain from making accusations.

A Fairfield Council spokesman said the matter “does not appear to relate to council business”.

“It is noted that the media report states that the police have been informed,” he said.

Fairfield councillor Dai Le said the allegations would leave “a bad taste in the people’s mouth” about dealing with local government.

“It is a really serious allegation that has a huge impact on the integrity of council.”

Mr Nguyen declined to comment.