Casey council anti-corruption scandal brings deputy mayor to tears
Casey’s deputy mayor has shared that he “broke down and cried” as details of the corruption allegations levelled against his council continue to emerge.
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Casey’s deputy mayor has spoken out saying he has been brought to tears over the anti-corruption scandal his council is embroiled in.
Cr Rex Flannery, who was elected as the council’s deputy mayor earlier this month, told the Sunday Herald Sun the past week had taken a “serious toll” on his mental health.
The IBAC hearings last week heard former mayor Sam Aziz, accused of pocketing $900,000 from property developers, allegedly bolted to Egypt amid claims he wheeled in a suitcase full of cash during one transaction.
The hearings also heard Geoff Ablett, Gary Ablett Sr’s brother and one-time mayor of Casey, was alleged to have received $330,000 in years of payments from developers, purportedly to tend for racehorses they co-owned.
Cr Flannery said he took to Facebook on Friday night to make a public statement to ratepayers over the anti-corruption hearings into the council.
“I spoke to someone I could trust while I was on the phone and I broke down and cried,” he wrote on Facebook.
“Many people have joked with me at work and I am up for a bit of fun … but tonight it has taken a toll on me.
“I have to let the issue run its course but I want to let all the residents of Casey know I am at your service for any issues you have.”
Cr Flannery told the Sunday Herald Sun he wrote the Facebook post as he needed to “get out what he felt”.
“While I can’t comment on anything specifically, the past week has been incredibly tough and taken a serious toll on me. I just wanted the ratepayers to know that I am there for them.”
Casey Residents and Ratepayers Association spokesman Brendan Browne said the past week had been “disastrous” for ratepayers and empathised with Cr Flannery.
“The community is suffering the consequences from all of this. It’s so hard for us to put our faith in the council and trust them,” Mr Browne said.
“I feel for Cr Flannery as he is a really caring councillor who has tried to do his absolute best for the community.”
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Ratepayers Victoria president Dean Hurlston said it was alarming Casey residents could no longer have any confidence in their council.
“What we are seeing is the tip of the iceberg. We applaud those councillors who put residents and ratepayers first,” Mr Hurlston said.