An Ipswich property lawyer who acted for former Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale has been charged with extortion by Queensland’s crime and corruption commission.
Cameron McKenzie was arrested in Ipswich on Thursday and taken to the Brisbane city watchhouse.
The CCC separately charged Pisasale with extortion in June. It is not clear whether the charges against McKenzie are related.
McKenzie, 35, of Churchill, was formally charged with one count of extortion under the state criminal code relating to a demand “without reasonable cause … with intent to gain a benefit for any person [and] with a threat to cause a detriment”.
The solicitor, who had previously flagged plans of one day running as an Ipswich city councilor, was given watchhouse bail.
McKenzie is due to appear in the Brisbane magistrates court on 4 August.
A colleague at McKenzie’s law firm, Australian Property Lawyers, said he did not know who was representing him in the matter.
“As the CCC’s investigation remains ongoing and these matters are now before the court, the CCC is unable to comment further,” a statement from the watchdog said.
