Wyndham councillor Intaj Khan will appeal a conviction and $23,000 fine for the incomplete and late filing of ordinary returns.
At Sunshine Magistrates Court on Monday, Magistrate Therese McCarthy fined Cr Khan a total of $8000 for two counts of failing to submit ordinary returns between February 2016 and February 2017 on time, and $15,000 total for three counts of failing to disclose companies in which he held office during the return period and three counts of failing to disclose companies in which he held a financial interest.
Cr Khan pleaded guilty to all charges in a hearing last month.
In handing down her findings, Magistrate McCarthy noted that the offences occurred shortly after a 2015 investigation by the Local Government Inspectorate which resulted in Cr Khan receiving a written warning and subsequent training, which specifically covered councillors’ obligations regarding ordinary returns.
She said although Cr Khan had no prior criminal history and should “be credited for the significant contribution to the community you have made”, his non-compliance following this training was an “aggravating factor”.
