By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Legal eagles have flocked to the IBAC hearing into alleged corruption among Casey councillors and property developers.
On the opening day, separate legal representatives for developer John Woodman, his lawyer and consultant Megan Schutz and developer Leighton’s executive Thomas Kenessey were on hand.
Casey Council and its current chief executive Glenn Patterson were represented.
A lawyer sat on behalf of Casey councillors Amanda Stapledon and Gary Rowe.
Colleague Geoff Ablett was represented separately.
Casey ex-mayor, former state MP and Woodman “lobbyist” Lorraine Wreford was separately represented.
There was no mention of representation for ’person of interest’ Cr Sam Aziz.
A City of Casey spokesperson wouldn’t detail the legal costs to the council.
They said that the council was required under law to cover the legal fees of councillors and staff “provided they have carried out their roles and responsibilities … in good faith”.
“Where a councillor of council officer has been found to not have acted in good faith, Council’s insurer will not cover the legal fees and it would be up to the individual councillor or council officer to cover their own legal costs.”
