A former Queensland mayor who has pleaded guilty to corruption might avoid jail time as a judge deliberates allegations of misconduct in public office.
Earlier this week, Luke Smith appeared in the Brisbane District Court, accused of offences while he was mayor of Logan, south of Brisbane.Smith, whose defence said had been through a “personally catastrophic” time and had considered leaving Queensland, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to receipt of a secret commission by an agent and failing in his obligation to update his register of interests.
He was teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, had gone through a marriage breakdown and had an alcohol-related disorder he was dealing with. In 2016, it was alleged Smith asked one of the SKL Cables’ directors, Ruqiang Yu, if he could buy a luxury boat from another director, Nathan Mai, worth $95,000.Smith later registered the transfer of Mai’s boat into his name, insured it, and signed a berthing agreement. A year later, Smith sold the boat for $39,000, the court heard, and spent $19,000 on personal expenses.Credit:Smith’s defence barrister Jeffrey Hunter replied: “He reimbursed himself for the funds he expended ...
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