Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au

Aaron Bunch
Ex-Ipswich mayor’s charges ‘irrelevant’

Former Ipswich mayor Andrew Antoniolli’s fraud trial for alleged misuse of the Queensland council’s funds has been told the charges against him are irrelevant.

May 20, 2019

The fraud trial of a former Ipswich mayor accused of dishonestly using ratepayer funds to buy goods at charity auctions has been told the charges against him are irrelevant.

Andrew Francis Antoniolli, 48, is charged with 12 counts of fraud and one count of attempted fraud for allegedly using the Ipswich City Council community donations fund to buy goods and services for his own use.

But defence lawyer Peter Callaghan SC says the charges against Antoniolli are irrelevant.because payments with the council funds went to community groups and because none of the goods and services were for Antoniolli’s personal use.

“Its not about the bids, it’s not about the value (of the goods), and the use of the (funds) was authorised”,” Mr Callaghan told Ipswich Magistrates Court on Monday.

He said the evidence had painted a picture of a poor culture at the Ipswich City Council – but the court was not being asked to make a judgment on that.

“The question is, was there dishonesty at the time of approving these donations?” he told the court during closing arguments.

Antoniolli has previously denied the charges and says he followed unwritten council policy.

The charges came after a Crime and Corruption Commission investigation that led to the sacking of the entire council in 2018.

Antoniolli allegedly used the council funds to purchase items, including a $5000 Trek bicycle, various artworks, a gym membership and two ladies pamper packs, between 2005 and 2017 while he was a councillor and mayor. 

Mr Callaghan also said some of the items were not collected and others were left at the council chambers or re-gifted to other community groups.

The trial continues.

Comments are closed.

Latest Stories
archive
date published
March 2024
M T W T F S S
« Feb    
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031