City of Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas has been dismissed and banned from civic office for five years after a corruption finding by the ICAC.
The NSW corruption watchdog found Mr Tsirekas engaged in serious corrupt conduct by taking bribes from a developer, and recommended he be removed from civic office.
Mr Tsirekas has been suspended from office since the report was made public on November 9 but has refused to resign.
On Wednesday Local Government minister Ron Hoenig confirmed Mr Tsirekas had been dismissed effective immediately.
He said after considering the ICAC report he had formed the view that Mr Tsirekas could no longer continue in office, as to do so would have affected public confidence in the integrity of the council.
“The immediate dismissal and disqualification of Mr Tsirekas is necessary to protect the public standing of the council, and local government generally,” Mr Hoenig said.
“There are processes in place that will enable City of Canada Bay councillors to fill the now vacant position of mayor for the remainder of the council’s current term.”
The potential prosecution of a number of people mentioned in the ICAC report is a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions, the minister said.
Comment has been sought from lawyers representing Mr Tsirekas.
Comment below to have your say on this story.
If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@governmentnews.com.au.
Sign up to the Government News newsletter
If corrupt prosecution should be mandatory.
Any person, and especially those in council or government found to be corrupt should not only be dismissed immediately, but should also have pay and benefits forfeited and should receive a jail sentence along, in this case, with the developer.
Corruption in Councils is ever present.