Former Casey councillor Sam Aziz uses picture of Scott Morrison to spruik for new business
Besieged former Casey mayor Sam Aziz is using pictures of himself with a string of famous faces — including Prime Minister Scott Morrison — to spruik for new business while still under corruption cloud.
VIC News
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Disgraced Victorian councillor Sam Aziz is using photos of himself with the Prime Minister and other Australian political figures to spruik his new business.
Aziz is a key player in the ongoing independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) inquiry investigating allegations developer John Woodman bribed Cr Aziz and other City of Casey councillors in exchange for favourable planning decisions.
However, he fled to Egypt last year, days before he was due to appear at the hearings.
Labelling himself as Mayor Emeritus on his consultancy website, Aziz lists his time at Casey Council as one of his many achievements.
However, there is no mention of his role in the planning scandal or his sacking.
In one photo posted on the site Aziz can be seen posing with Scott Morrison who was the Federal Treasurer at the time and La Trobe MP Jason Wood.
Other photos show him with Lucy Turnbull and former Opposition Leader Matthew Guy, who said he did not know about the website and has never had any in-depth dealing with Mr Aziz.
“The last time I saw Sam Aziz would have been six or seven years ago,” Mr Guy said.
“It is a bit disingenuous to use these photos and purporting them to be current.”
Mr Morrison’s office declined to comment, but it is understood the Prime Minister has no personal or business connection to him.
Aziz could not be reached for comment and was believed to still be residing in Egypt.
After fleeing the country, the Herald Sun revealed he was supporting himself by working at the Bloom Business School in Cairo.
Aziz has since been removed from the company’s website.
Up until February he was also claiming paid leave from the council at the City of Casey ratepayers expense, before the State Government introduced a bill to sack all sitting members.
The IBAC inquiry previously heard Aziz received nearly $1 million from Mr Woodman, while he was a councillor with the bulk of that money delivered in cash-filled suitcases.
It is alleged he took kickbacks for passing planning decisions favourable to the developer.
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