Former Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale has returned to court after being charged with additional fraud and corruption offences, including taking household goods.

August 13, 2018

Former Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale has faced court on fresh fraud charges, including allegations he received gifts of household goods, including cookware, speakers, a barbecue and garden lights.

Pisasale, who had already been charged by the Crime and Corruption Commission as part of its investigation into the southeast Queensland council, appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday.

He was facing eight new counts of fraud and one count of corruption.

The 66-year-old stands accused of defrauding council by using ratepayers’ funds for personal use and interstate travel.

The long list of items Pisasale is alleged to have defrauded the council of also includes whiskey, artwork, a replica truck, electrical appliances, sporting memorabilia and a ceramic craft item.

The additional charges were laid by the corruption watchdog on Friday.

The latest corruption charge relates to a project in Ipswich’s west.

Pisasale is accused of having “agreed to champion the Yamanto project for himself on account of influencing Ipswich City Council employees and private contractors”, court documents claim.

The case was adjourned to align the matter with other charges Pisasale is facing.

As he left the court, Pisasale told reporters he had put his heart and soul, and a lot of hard work, into the city of Ipswich and its people.

Fifteen people who either worked for or were linked to the council have been charged with 86 corruption and related offences as part of the CCC investigation.

Pisasale is due to reappear in the same court on September 7.

The CCC expects to release its public report into governance failures and cultural issues within the Ipswich City Council this week.