Pisasale cash was for client - barrister
A HIGH-profile barrister claims the $50,000 found on outgoing Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale by federal police at a Melbourne airport was for a client of his. The sensational claim comes a day after Mr Pisasale resigned as mayor after 13 years citing ill health and two days after his home and office were raided by police. Brisbane barrister Sam Di Carlo told the Courier-Mail the money was for a settlement agreement for a Chinese client and that Mr Pisasale was acting as a friend by agreeing to carry it to Brisbane. On May 13, sniffer dogs alerted Australian Federal Police officers to Mr Pisasale as he prepared to board his flight to Brisbane and officers found $50,000 in cash on the popular mayor. “The $50,000 that was volunteered to be in the possession of Mr Pisasale, by him, at the Tullamarine Airport was $50,000 for the settlement of litigation between parties in the Supreme Court, not in any way shape or form, associated with Mr Pisasale,” Mr Di Carlo told the Courier-Mail. Mayor Pisasale delivered his resignation on Tuesday, fronting a media conference at St Andrew’s Hospital wearing a gown and bright red, starry pyjama pants.
During that announcement, he said he had chosen to step down partly as a result of a recent multiple schlerosis attack.
He was quizzed over a Crime and Corruption Commission Queensland investigation by reporters but said he knew little about it.
Later that morning Acting Mayor Paul Tully, now acting as the city’s leader, confirmed media reports that police had raided both council offices and Mr Pisasale’s home as part of the CCC investigation.
Since then, revelations have become public about Mr Pisasale being found carrying $50,000 in cash through a Melbourne Airport, which is thought to have aroused the suspicion of authorities.
Mr Pisasale has long been a target of authorities but has been repeatedly cleared of wrong doing.
Mr Pisasale has long denied being involved with any illegal or unethical behaviour.