Queensland councillor 'shamed' after porn and sexual images allegedly found on work devices
A Queensland councillor reportedly caught with pornographic images and personal sex acts on his work devices, said he's guilty of nothing more than being "red-blooded".
The Department of Local Government reportedly began investigating Redland City Councillor Craig Ogilvie last year after he admitted to signing up with notorious cheater website Ashley Madison using his council email account.
It has been reported pornographic images were found on Cr Ogilvie's laptop and phone, along with several videos and images of him engaged in sex acts.
The Sunday Mail, which obtained investigation documents, alleged his devices contained photos of young women at the beach, seemingly without their knowledge, however Cr Ogilvie denied these allegations and said they were dismissed by police.
"The idea that I'm capable of, or have been indulging in that sort of behaviour is incorrect," he said.
Cr Ogilvie said he felt an element of "sl** shame" after allegations against him were made public.
"I think I'm guilty, if anything, of being red-blooded," he told ABC Radio on Monday.
Cr Ogilvie said he wasn't guilty of any improper or illegal behaviour and said most people with work-supplied devices accessed them for personal use.
In a statement he confirmed he used a council-issued phone "for private communications" which are "my own private business, and no one should be allowed to ransack them".
He went on to say he was a "relatively young, unmarried, normal, Australian male," and "even a politician is entitled to a private life".
He told the ABC it was not uncommon to watch pornography, and it was time to move on from being "prudish".
Local Government Minister Jackie Trad has said voters would decide if Cr Ogilvie kept his job at the March 19 election.
"Ultimately, it is up to the people of Redlands to make their decision about their local representative," she said.
Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said Cr Ogilvie was welcome to contest the election if there was nothing disqualifying him from doing so, but he agreed the allegations might not sit well with voters.
"It indicates and behoves everyone in public office to make sure that they always conduct themselves in the highest-possible standard," Mr Springborg said.
News break – March 8
