A report by WA's corruption watchdog has laid bare the level of division within the Perth City Council, with one councillor now threatening to sue a colleague following allegations of bribery.
A Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) report revealed explosive allegations about claims of inducements being offered in return for support from other councillors for the deputy's job.
Councillors James Limnios and Reece Harley levelled the serious misconduct claims against each other, but the CCC report did not substantiate the allegations.
'No evidence of serious misconduct'
"There are times when the public interest is served in knowing that the Commission has thoroughly investigated an allegation, and either formed no opinion of serious misconduct or concluded there is no evidence of serious misconduct," the CCC report stated.
"This is such a case."
The allegations followed a marathon three-hour council meeting in October in which both councillors sought to win the job of deputy — but after a tie the meeting ended with the election of Jemma Green to the position.
The report revealed Cr Harley alleged Cr Limnios offered him "a financial inducement not to contest the deputy lord mayor position", by either splitting a $34,000 allowance or receiving external consultancy work.
In return, Cr Limnios alleged Cr Harley "coordinated the allocation of elected member appointments to certain paid external committee positions, in return for supporting [his] candidacy" for the position.
But the CCC did not find that either of the allegations had merit, saying it formed "no opinion" on the claim against Cr Limnios.
On the claims against Cr Harley, it said there was "no evidence" to support them.
Allegations follow years of division
The report indicated the extent of division within the Council, with Cr Harley making a formal complaint to City of Perth chief executive Martin Mileham about Cr Limnios.
Cr Limnios responded by lodging an official complaint against Cr Harley two days later.
Cr Limnios described the allegation against him as "absurd, fanciful and very malicious", saying the matter was now in the hands of his lawyers and indicating defamation action against Cr Harley was on the cards.
"It is my duty and my obligation to defend myself," he said.
"I have instructed my solicitors to deal with the matter and they are currently dealing with this matter."
Cr Harley declined to comment.
The latest council feud follows years of division within its ranks, following findings of serious misconduct against Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi over her failure to disclose gifts and travel.
Mrs Scaffidi has stood aside from her duties, pending the outcome of a final punishment for the Local Government Act breaches.
The council has been highly divided throughout the expenses saga, but Cr Limnios suggested after the deputy mayoral race that all of that was in the past.
"We came to a united position and I think we have come so far forward that we will see a new chapter in the capital city," Cr Limnios said in October.
