By Brendan Rees
Besieged former Casey mayor Sam Aziz, who left for Egypt 10 months ago, has finally returned to Australia.
Mr Aziz is a ’person of interest’ regarding an ongoing Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, where it is alleged he had dealings with a developer, however, he flew overseas last October, just before the hearings began.
An IBAC spokesperson confirmed the watchdog was “aware of the recent return to Australia of Mr Aziz” who remains a focus of IBAC’s Operation Sandon, “an ongoing investigation into allegations of corruption concerning Casey Council“.
“We intend to resume public hearings as soon as practical, in line with the directions of the Chief Health Officer,“ the spokesperson said.
“For legal and operational reasons, IBAC is not able to provide further comment at this time.“
Mr Aziz has been teaching at a business school in Cairo but it is understood his contract ended in July.
He last spoke to Star News in February, saying his lecturing duties at Bloom Business School were “sporadic” as he battled a heart failure condition.
According to The Age, Mr Aziz flew into Sydney last week and is now in hospital. The nature of his condition is not known but in a court document filed by his lawyers earlier this year it claimed Mr Aziz had ongoing health conditions including a chronic heart condition, diabetes and mental health concerns.
He will face a two-week mandatory Covid-19 quarantine in Sydney after all international flights that were scheduled to land in Melbourne, where Mr Aziz lives, have been banned due to stage-four Covid-19 restrictions.
Australia’s borders are closed but only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can travel to Australia.
Court documents revealed in November last year that Mr Aziz had brought forward his return flight from Cairo to Melbourne by a month, however on the day of his return flight, Mr Aziz was said to be “suffering from symptoms including heart palpitations, shortness of breath and was visibly perspiring” and therefore had to cancel his flight.
The former councillor left Australia after IBAC investigators executed search warrants on his properties in Berwick and Roxburgh Park.
A significant amount of Mr Aziz’s personal property, including documents and electronic devices were seized during the raids, court documents stated.
Mr Aziz allegedly sold his home in Berwick prior to fleeing the country but the sale of the house was seized as proceeds of crime – with a restraining order also in place.
Mr Aziz is alleged to have committed offences including misconduct in public office, bribery of a public official, and dealing with the proceeds of crime, according to a court document filed by IBAC with the County Court.
He continued to claim paid leave from the City of Casey while overseas until the State Government moved to sack the council in February.
Mr Aziz could not be reached for comment.
