Ferntree Gully
Belgrave
Mail C overing the Dandenongs in the Yarra Ranges & Cardinia Shires
3
Historic apology
Tuesday, 3 December, 2019
9
Fire danger period
A Mail News Group publication
22-23
Best in local sport
Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
‘Takeover’ plot By Cam Lucadou-Wells Casey councillor Sam Aziz was recorded saying that “we have taken over Casey” and had plans to do the same at Yarra Ranges Council, according to a covertly taped conversation revealed in an IBAC hearing into councillor corruption claims. “Basically, Yarra Ranges we want to take it over it over the same way we’ve taken over Casey,“ Cr Aziz told property developer John Woodman’s lobbyist Lorraine Wreford in a central Melbourne cafe on 1 February. Fellow councillor Amanda Stapledon intended to meet with property developer John Woodman to discuss the plan, he told Ms Wreford. “And there’s another businessman we are working with closely to make that happen.” With six out of nine councillors set to retire before the next election, “we only really need to get two elected to get a majority,” Cr Aziz said. At the IBAC Operation Sandon hearing on 27 November, Ms Wreford said that she thought Cr Aziz at the time was just “big-noting himself”. “He might have thought he had taken over the City of Casey but I don’t think other people thought that was the case.” She said that at times she thought Cr Aziz, who was going through a divorce, had been drinking during his text messages to her. He was “mentally unstable” - at times his “normal intelligent self”, at other times threatening to suicide. “He was up and down like a yo-yo and saying all sorts of almost hysterical things to me at times.” Yarra Ranges Council released a statement on the stunning revelation on Thursday 28 November. “Yarra Ranges Council is aware of IBAC’s investigation into the City of Casey (as part of Operation Sandon). Yesterday’s comments mentioning Yarra Ranges Council came as a surprise. “Council has no involvement with the IBAC investigation, and will not be making any further comments due to the ongoing investigations.“
Casey councillor Sam Aziz and former Casey mayor and MP Lorraine Wreford at the Little Billy cafe in William Street on 1 February of 2019. At the time, Mr Woodman was considering a defamation suit against the council over media allegations that he’d bullied council staff. Cr Aziz appeared to offer to get hold of council documents if Mr Woodman was unable to subpoena them. During the cafe meeting, Cr Aziz was being delivered cash by Ms Wreford, purportedly
The Yarra Ranges takeover claim was not the only bombshell to come from the recorded cafe sitting in Melbourne. Cr Aziz was also heard to pledge support for Mr Woodman’s intention to sue Casey Council. “Whatever I can do to help him,” Cr Aziz told Ms Wreford.
part of a monthly $25,000 fee as a Smart Cities consultant with Mr Woodman. Ms Wreford conceded the monthly $2000-cash-delivered component couriered to him looked “corrupt”. She later agreed with Counsel assisting Michael Tovey, that Cr Aziz seemed to see Mr Woodman as a “bottomless ATM”.
d Le
as e
So ld
Fo rS
al
e
Buying, Selling or Renting? For all your property needs call the team at Bell Olinda today
9751 2375
Widetread
•TYRES•WHEELS•SUSPENSION•
UV 4&S the4x ialsts c e Sp
!
nuff said
Approved Dealer for
F E R N T R E E G U L LY 9758 9288 1158 Burwood Highway (towards Belgrave) www.widetread.net.au
12394728-ACM32-18
12418713-CG22-19