Australia: Former Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale jailed on raft of criminal charges

Disgraced former Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to more than 35 charges including official corruption and sexual assault, which he committed during his time in office. He will be eligible for parole after slightly more than 20 months behind bars have been served. Judge Lynch, in the Ipswich District Court on Wednesday, said his charity auction fraud of $53,000 was for self-promotion. It follows Mr Pisasale’s shock pleas of guilty last week to counts of sexual assault, official corruption, disobedience of statute law and possessing a restricted drug.

His pleas resulted in a suppression order being lifted, revealing the ex-mayor had also pleaded guilty to 27 charges of fraud and other charges of perjury, receipt of a secret commission by agent and official corruption.