Watchdog looks into fundraiser

CORRUPTION investigators digging into Ipswich City Council have probed a gala charity dinner staged to help poor families afford education.

The 2016 dinner for the Red and White Foundation was held in conjunction with Ipswich Grammar Old Boys Association, and attendees said that among the several hundred guests was then councillor Andrew Antoniolli, who was on Wednesday charged with seven counts of fraud.

Items auctioned at the event included a road bike, sports memorabilia and wine, attendees said.

Sources have also confirmed that the Crime and Corruption Commission has made inquiries about the event.

There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by the organisers or the charity.

The CCC is alleging Mr Antoniolli used council funds “for his own use to purchase auction items from charitable organisations between 26 October, 2011 and 20 May, 2017”.

Mr Antoniolli, who was Ipswich’s new cleanskin mayor – brought in after the fall from grace of Paul Pisasale – has said he will fight the charges.

Sources said the charges against Mr Antoniolli include claims about the purchase of a bicycle – believed to be $5000.

The black-tie event in 2016 had roughly 400 guests, at $165 a head, packed into the Pullman Hotel in Brisbane’s CBD, two attendees estimated.

Ipswich Grammar said in a statement: “The Red and White Foundation was a charitable foundation that was external to IGS that at times supported our school.”