The controversial former Townsville mayor Troy Thompson, who was found last week to have made unsubstantiated claims he had been diagnosed with epilepsy, referenced the condition when endorsing an electromagnetic pulse bracelet sold online by a business linked to his partner.
The Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission’s (CCC) investigation into Thompson found he had misled the electorate about a cancer diagnosis, his military history and university qualifications.
Thompson’s lawyers told the CCC their client “denies committing any kind of misconduct or criminal offence”. No criminal proceedings have been launched.
The CCC also found there was “no direct evidence” to support claims by Thompson that he has epilepsy, was diagnosed with the condition or received specialist treatment.
It found that Thompson had suffered apparent seizures in 2023 and took anti-seizure medication. It also found a GP had endorsed an “epilepsy management plan” but there was no evidence to support a diagnosis had been made.
The CCC report said the condition had “never previously been referenced by Mr Thompson” until he made claims related to having epilepsy in an interview with A Current Affair in November 2024.
Sign up: AU Breaking News email
That finding appears to be incorrect. Guardian Australia has cited now-deleted social media posts from early 2024 – while Thompson was campaigning to be mayor – in which he claimed the condition was successfully managed by wearing a pulsed electromagnetic field bracelet. He said in the video that it was “not an ad”.
Guardian Australia can also reveal that Thompson’s “endorsement” was used to advertise the “life changing” bracelet through a multi-level marketing wellness operation that his partner, Michelle Blythe, was involved with.
In at least two since-deleted Facebook posts, the business page said that Thompson used the bracelet to manage his epilepsy.
The Facebook page said Thompson would be “proudly wearing his CM2 band to all events as he 100% endorses this product”.
“Recently diagnosed with epilepsy, Troy suffered with constant dizzy spells, lack of energy, and intense feelings of fatigue. Almost immediately Troy found there to be a substantial difference in his energy and steadiness after putting on the band many months ago.
“Without it, he certainly wouldn’t be able to run for Mayor of Townsville.
“If you are still unsure about purchasing this product, I encourage you to think about all the incredible life changing attributes that this amazing technology can provide you.
“In the coming weeks we plan to showcase more of Troy’s epilepsy diagnosis.”
Thompson won the 2024 mayoral election but soon became mired in controversy over concerns he had embellished claims he had made during the campaign, including about his military record.
He was suspended on full pay in November last year while the CCC conducted an investigation. Thompson resigned in September but was renominated at a byelection won by the former Katter’s Australian party MP Nick Dametto. Thompson recorded 4.95% of the vote.
Thompson’s claims to have epilepsy were also at the centre of a $1.02m workplace discrimination case he lodged against the Townsville council after a protracted dispute with elected councillors and the city bureaucracy.
The ABC reported that Thompson alleged he was discriminated against “based on his epilepsy, his mental health and political beliefs” when locked out of his council office.
Thompson and Blythe were contacted for comment.
