The trial against a Queensland lawyer accused of corruptly giving former Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale benefits so he would promote a development has been aborted and the jury discharged over a "flaw" in the case.
More than a week ago Salvatore "Sam" Di Carlo, 66, pleaded not guilty to one count of official corruption in the Brisbane District Court.
At the start of what was meant to be a three-week trial, the jury was told it would be alleged Mr Di Carlo had a "corrupt relationship" with Mr Pisasale and Melbourne developer Christopher Pinzone.
The jury heard the trio allegedly became involved in a "business arrangement" in 2016, which centred around a 14-hectare proposed commercial project in Yamanto in Ipswich.
The prosecution alleged Mr Di Carlo and Mr Pinzone began offering and providing then mayor Mr Pisasale gifts and services in return for his support of the development in his position as mayor, despite him having no "decision-making power".
This allegedly included "hospitality at restaurants, organising and paying for the provision of sexual services from prostitutes, [and] giving him some cash on occasions" as well as "some sort of a share" in the project.
Mr Di Carlo's lawyers argued the case was "utterly circumstantial" and the prosecution had "no direct evidence" his client was involved in a "corrupt favour" and vehemently denied the allegations.
After hearing several days of evidence, including hours of secretly recorded phone calls, Chief Judge Brian Devereaux last Friday made a series of orders and ruled he would discharge the jury when they returned after the weekend.
On Monday Judge Devereaux told the jury "a development has happened" and the trial would need to be abandoned.
"That means you don't get to continue your job," he said.
"This happens sometimes, I hope that you still leave the process with a sense of its real value."
Thee-week adjournment sought
Judge Devereaux told the jury it was difficult "to give more explanation", but it related to legal argument of particulars with the charge, and "one decision followed another then another".
"The trial had a flaw in it and had to stop," he said.
Judge Devereaux said they had been a "very attentive jury" and thanked them for giving "so much of your time and commitment".
"It's a prize of our democracy that we have a collective of effective strangers ... To come together to decide such important matters," he said.
"But it is a human system and sometimes it goes wrong."
The prosecution asked for a three-week adjournment, and advised they would seek direction from the Attorney-General on whether to formally discontinue the charge.
Mr Di Carlo, who is on bail, was free to leave court.
