By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
Casey Council debated possible defamation proceedings against recently convicted former councillor Paul Richardson in a closed session at Tuesday’s council meeting.
At the meeting, the council earlier resolved to write to the Department of Justice in an attempt to strip Richardson of his Justice of the Peace status after Richardson was on Monday convicted for resisting police arrest and wilful trespass at a council meeting last year.
According to the Justice of the Peace code of conduct, a JP must not behave in a way that brings the “office of JP into disrepute” and must notify the department as soon as practicable in writing of any criminal charges against them and the finalisation of those proceedings.
Richardson has appealed against Monday’s outcome.
The appeal will be heard at the County Court in July.
Councillor Sam Aziz said he would initiate defamation proceedings against Richardson but didn’t elaborate on who else would be plaintiffs in the action.
“I’m sure Mr Richardson will tell you when he hears from our lawyers,” he told the News.
He said “action will be taken through council, which continues to be libelled and defamed by Mr Richardson”.
The alleged libels had occurred through widely-distributed emails written by Richardson.
“He sends email after email to the universe.
“Whether or not he’s believed or not is irrelevant, most people who receive the emails don’t know him,” Cr Aziz said.
“He gains false credibility to himself by describing himself as the 12th councillor.
“If you’re not familiar with the City of Casey you wouldn’t know he’s not a councillor. That makes it more dangerous.”
At Tuesday’s meeting, after Richardson had two public question time inquiries answered, Cr Aziz asked a council officer in open session whether a “convicted criminal” had the right to ask questions.
Governance manager Sally Curtain replied in the affirmative, and Richardson promptly left the chamber.
At the start of Monday’s court hearing, the council dropped its local laws charges against Richardson of refusing to cease disruptive and unruly behaviour and failing to sit down and remain silent when called to order.
Casey chief executive Mike Tyler said the council dropped its charges to “provide clear air” for the police case.
“We got out of the way of the police case, which, in the scheme of things, was more serious.
“Given what the magistrate said, the court could have imposed a jail term. (The sentence) was at the lower end.”
When asked about the council’s actions on Tuesday, Richardson told the News: “You’ve got to wonder what their purpose is.
“Do they strike while the person is down?”
