Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Suspended Logan mayor a no-show in court
Suspended Logan mayor Luke Smith has has not appeared in court when his corruption charges were mentioned a few days after he was taken to hospital.
July 26, 2018
Suspended Logan mayor Luke Smith has not shown up to face court on corruption charges, just a few days after he was taken to hospital following an unrelated court appearance.
The 48-year-old was released on bail on Monday after appearing in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on a charge of obstructing police.
During that hearing he had a blood-stained plaster on his head and was later taken to hospital.
Smith’s corruption charges were mentioned in the same court on Thursday but there was no sign of him.
Outside the court, his lawyer did not answer questions about his health.
Smith was charged in March with official corruption, failing to correct his council register of interests, and two counts of perjury after the Crime and Corruption Commission alleged he lied during a hearing relating to Operation Belcarra.
He has previously said he will vigorously defend the charges.
The corruption case was adjourned for eight weeks after lawyers asked for more time to prepare the brief of evidence.
The prosecution said a lengthy adjournment was required due to the difficulty of collecting statements from witnesses who were overseas.
Magistrate Jane Bentley said that if the Crime and Corruption Commission wanted to charge people they needed to make it happen in a timely fashion.
The case will return to court on September 20.