Moreton Mayor charged with misconduct
A Queensland mayor has been stood down after being charged with two counts of misconduct in public office.
Moreton Bay Mayor Allan Sutherland, 63, has been charged by the Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC).
Mr Sutherland was arrested, charged at the Fortitude Valley Police Station and bailed on Wednesday.
He has a date set in Brisbane Magistrates Court on February 5, the CCC said in a statement.
Deputy Mayor Mike Charlton will act as Mayor as Mr Sutherland contests the charges.
The corruption watchdog did not publicly detail the allegations against Mr Sutherland.
In September, the CCC said it would take another look at Mr Sutherland's 2010 purchase of a 2-hectare block of land at Burpengary for $700,000, which had been earmarked for future development.
In 2012, the Local Government Remuneration and Discipline Tribunal cleared Mr Sutherland of wrongdoing in relation to the purchase.