Salim Mehajer denies alleged dodgy dealings as he takes stand
Flamboyant former Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer denies running for council and pushing through alleged dodgy plans to benefit his future developments.
The Auburn City Council Public Inquiry is investigating allegations into whether Mr Mehajer made planning and development decisions and lobbied councillors to change their mind so it would benefit himself and family members before he was sacked in February.
It is alleged Salim Mehajer made planning and development decisions and lobbied councillors to change their mind so it would benefit himself and family members. Photo: AAP
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Mr Mehajer, who made headlines following his extravagant western Sydney wedding last year, told the inquiry he was upset when his request to have half of a $650,000 deposit he paid for a council-owned car park returned was refused.
But he denied he tried to persuade one councillor after the vote was handed down.
"Did you ask him to change his vote?" counsel assisting the commissioner Paul Bolster said.
"Absolutely not."
Council later decided to return the requested portion of the deposit.
Salim Mehajer, deputy mayor of Auburn, and his wife Aysha, arrive at Bankstown Court House in Sydney on a separate incident. Photo: AAP
Mr Mehajer also denied that a council decision not to extend a time limit needed to secure the car park contract before he was a councillor influenced his decision to run in the election.
He was also quick to quash suggestions his success had strong links to his previously jailed developer father Mohamad Mehajer.
"He had a small contribution but 90 per cent of my success is myself," he said.
The inquiry has previously heard the former deputy general manager of the council, Hamish McNulty, thought Mr Mehajer's wedding was going to involve only one helicopter until the night before the celebration, which ended up including four aircraft.
The celebration, which included a cavalcade of sports cars, shut down parts of Lidcombe last August.
Mr McNulty said the council originally understood Mr Mehajer wanted to have a helicopter land on the street but was given advice that wouldn't be approved.
The inquiry continues.
