MAYOR’S ‘$50,000 IN CASH’

PISASALE QUITS UNDER CLOUD

AN EMBATTLED Paul Pisasale was clutching $50,000 in cash when Australian Federal Police pounced on him at Melbourne domestic airport, sparking this week’s raids by the corruption watchdog and his comical resignation as Ipswich City Council Mayor.

As the colourful, long-term mayor tried yesterday to stage manage his exit from politics by blaming ill-health, it can be revealed Mr Pisasale is facing an unfolding investigation by the Crime and Corruption Commission, which on Monday executed search warrants at his office and home.

Mr Pisasale, who has not been charged and yesterday expressed his innocence in his pyjamas at St Andrew’s Ipswich Private Hospital, was at Melbourne Airport three weeks ago when a cash-sniffer dog sat at his feet – a signal that sparks an immediate action from officers.

The Bulletin understands Mr Pisasale was taken to a private room on Saturday, May 13, by AFP officers who then painstakingly counted the cash in front of him.

It is believed the AFP asked Mr Pisasale why he was carrying such a large amount of cash but he failed to convince officers of his reason.

One source told the Bulletin Mr Pisasale said he was carrying the bag on behalf of someone else.

While it is not an offence to carry large amounts of money through a domestic airport, the AFP alerted Queensland’s corruption agency.

Mr Pisasale, who has suffered from multiple sclerosis for many years, checked himself into hospital on the advice of his doctors by 4pm on Monday before announcing his resignation at 10.20am yesterday.

Calling it a “sad day”, Mr Pisasale said he would co-operate with investigators but would not elaborate further.