Raids amid IBAC probe into Moonee Valley council alleged sports rorts

The state’s peak corruption body is running a sports rorts investigation into the Moonee Valley City Council with several properties raided in connection with the probe this week.

The state’s peak corruption body is running a sports rorts investigation into the Moonee Valley City Council.

The state’s peak corruption body is running a sports rorts investigation into the Moonee Valley City Council with several properties raided in connection with the investigation this week.

The Herald Sun has been told the independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission is looking into relationships with a leading local soccer club.

Officers carried out searches of homes linked to at least three councillors as part of the inquiry and several other council-linked figures have handed over phones for examination by detectives.

One search warrant carried out by corruption officials on August 22, allegedly uncovered evidence of drug activity.

That evidence was referred to Victoria Police for further investigation.

A statement from the force said: “Moonee Ponds police received a report of a man allegedly in possession of illicit drug.

“Police attended an address in Moonee Ponds where they arrested a 28-year-old male for allegedly possessing a small quantity of cannabis and cocaine.

He was charged with drug possession and has been bailed to appear at the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on 8 March 2024.”

The council covers suburbs including Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Keilor East, Ascot Vale, Airport West and Flemington.

An IBAC spokeswoman declined to comment when contacted last night.

“As a matter of practice, IBAC does not comment on whether it has a complaint or investigation before it,” she said.

A State Government spokeswoman said: “IBAC is an independent integrity agency and the (Local Government (Minister) does not have any detail of IBAC’s investigations.”

A Moonee Valley City Council spokeswoman said the organisation was aware of the IBAC probe.“It would not be appropriate for Council to make further comment at this time,” she said.