Liverpool City Council's former chief executive Ged Fitzgerald is one of four men to have been charged under Lancashire Police's Operation Sheridan investigation.
Fitzgerald was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and witness intimidation in 2017 when he was the top officer at Liverpool Council. He was subsequently suspended and resigned in 2018.
He was one of a number of men to be arrested as part of Operation Sheridan, an investigation into alleged financial impropriety at the One Connect joint venture between BT and Lancashire Country Council, where Fitzgerald was formerly chief executive.
READ MORE: Liverpool shooting live as schoolgirl, 9, dead and two injured
In May 2017 police raided the homes of former Liverpool IT partnership Liverpool Direct (LDL) boss David McElhinney, then Lancashire Council leader Geoffrey Driver, former Lancashire County Council chief executive and ex-Liverpool Council finance chief Philip Halsall and Fitzgerald.
More than five years later and all four men have been charged with a range of offences. A statement from Lancashire Police said: "Operation Sheridan was launched in 2013 following allegations of financial irregularity made to the constabulary by Lancashire County Council. On completion of the investigation, during which we worked closely with Merseyside Police, Lancashire County Council and Liverpool City Council, we referred the matter to the Crown Prosecution Service who have authorised charges for four individuals. They are:
"Dr David McElhinney, 62 of Ormskirk Road, Knowsley, who has been summonsed to face charges of misconduct in public office and procuring misconduct in public office. Philip Halsall, 64 of Hesketh Road, Southport who has been summonsed to face charges of misconduct in public office and procuring misconduct in public office.
"Gerald Fitzgerald, 60 of Dover Road, Birkdale, who has been summonsed to face charges of misconduct in public office and aiding and abetting misconduct in public office. Geoff Driver, 77 of Hoylake Close, Preston, who has been summonsed to face a charge of Taking Revenge under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act."
All four men have been served with postal requisition orders today (Tuesday, August 23) and are due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, October 12th 2022. Four other men aged 62, 64, 66 and 68 were written to earlier this year and told they would face no further action.
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: "We would like to remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against these defendants are active and that they have a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."
READ NEXT: Woman, 28, shot dead in garden 'was not intended target'
Gunman on the run for over 12 hours after killing schoolgirl
Liverpool wakes up to devastating news of schoolgirl's murder as tributes flood in
Tip-offs 'flowing in' after 'little man Sam' shot dead in street
