Council rocked by new charge
IPSWICH City Council’s top executive has been charged by the state corruption watchdog, marking the latest arrest to rock the southeast Queensland city.
Chief executive Jim Lindsay was arrested at the council office by Crime and Corruption Commission officers yesterday afternoon and taken to the Ipswich Watchhouse.
The 53-year-old is facing the serious charge of official corruption.
Lindsay is the second senior Ipswich City Council officer charged by the CCC in as many days.
Chief operating officer of works, parks and recreation Craig Maudlsey was on Wednesday charged with misconduct.
It also follows charges being laid against charismatic former mayor Paul Pisasale, who has been charged with five offences including extortion.
Only a day before Lindsay was charged, the chief executive was given credit by new mayor Andrew Antoniolli for instigating a review that led to new “transparency and integrity” plans.
In a statement released last night, the council confirmed the charges and said Lindsay was on “immediate leave”.
“This comes as a shock, however we must remain resilient through a period of turmoil,” Cr Antoniolli said.
“Following a similar charge two days ago, I said this council would have zero tolerance when it comes to any illegal activity, and that view remains.
“Council will be seeking to appoint an external acting CEO in the near future. Until such time, Council City Solicitor Daniel Best will act in the CEO role.”
The CCC released a statement late yesterday to say it had charged a 53-year-old Karana Downs man as part of an ongoing investigation.
A woman who answered the phone at Lindsay’s fivebedroom home, in Brisbane’s west, said he was not available.
Lindsay’s family assets include almost $1.7 million in property, including owning houses and apartments in Ipswich’s Springfield and Brisbane’s Hamilton.
He is also a director of numerous Ipswich council companies, and also Warwick Credit Union.
Lindsay is expected to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on October 11.
He came to the top job after the 2013 resignation of predecessor Carl Wulff, who himself had been the subject of a CCC inquiry.
The CCC had found no evidence Mr Wulff had engaged in official misconduct.