Ex-Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson and a former assistant director of highways are among a dozen people charged with bribery and misconduct.
Merseyside Police said 12 people have been charged as part of Operation Aloft, an investigation into the awarding of commercial and business contracts at Liverpool City Council between 2010 and 2020.
Anderson (pictured) served as directly-elected mayor of the authority from 2012 to 2021.
Derek Hatton, former deputy leader also faces charges alongside ex-assistant highways director Andrew Barr and former director of regeneration Nicholas Kavanagh.
Those charged are:
- David Anderson, 37, of Wincanton Street, Wavertree, charged with one count of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office
- Joseph Anderson, 67, of The Beechwalk, Knotty Ash, charged with one count of bribery, one count of misconduct in a public office and one count of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office.
- Andrew Barr, 51, of Kendal Way, Ainsdale, charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office and one count of bribery
- Phillipa Cook, 49, of Rookery Drive, Mossley Hill, charged with two counts of bribery
- Alex Croft, 29, of Bold Lane, Aughton, Lancashire, charged with one count of bribery
- Julian Flanagan, 53, of Poplar Avenue, Crosby charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery
- Paul Flanagan 61, of Ormskirk Road, Knowsley Village, charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery
- Derek Hatton, 77, of Livingston Drive, Aigburth, charged with one count of bribery and one count of counsel or procure misconduct in a public office
- Sonjia Hatton, 49, of Livingston Drive, Aigburth, charged with one count of misconduct in a public office
- Nicholas Kavanagh, 56, of Rookery Drive, Mossley Hill, charged with two counts of bribery
- Adam McLean, 54, of Acrefield Road, Woolton, charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery
- James Shalliker, 38, of School Lane, Downholland, Lancashire, charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.
All those charged will appear at Preston Magistrates Court on 28 March.
Deputy chief crown prosecutor Robin Weyell, said: ‘The CPS has reviewed a full file of evidence from the Merseyside Police and has authorised the investigation team to charge 12 people with 12 offences related to bribery and misconduct in public office.'
This article first appeared on themj.co.uk.
