Corrupt former mayor’s secret boat deal

Former Logan City mayor Luke Smith has avoided jail time after pleading guilty to corruption while he was in public office.

The former councillor, whose full name is Timothy Luke Smith, pleaded guilty in the Brisbane District Court on Tuesday to one count each of secret commission, misconduct in relation to public office and the obligation of a councillor to make public their own interest.

The court was told Smith had received a boat in Woolgoolga from a party trying to influence his position in council between July 22, 2016, and September 10, 2016.

He also pleaded guilty to using his influence in council to favour the recruitment process between June 1, 2017 and July 1, 2017 to hire a specific person in order to benefit that person.

Smith also intentionally failed to inform the council chief executive officer of a matter of interest within the 30 required days reporting period between August 29, 2016, and September 29, 2017.

Judge David Kent KC sentenced Smith to 18 months imprisonment to be served as a two-year wholly suspended sentence.

“They were serious breaches of your responsibilities as an elected official,” Judge Kent said.

He also ordered Smith serve 120 community service hours.

More to come