The row between Theo Theophanous and his former electoral officer Costas Socratous took a new turn last week with Mr Theophanous lashing out against Mr Socratous in the Victorian Parliament.
The Victorian MP accused Mr Socratous of being an “opportunist” who wished to profit from the Brimbank debacle.
Mr Theophanous said that he did not ‘sack’ his electoral officer but, “stood him down on full pay and he was subsequently transferred to another State MP, Telmo Languiller’s office.”
The parliamentary outburst by Mr Theophanous followed the Neos Kosmos English Edition report last Monday and an interview of Mr Socratous aired on the ABC.
Last month Mr Socratous was told by the former Victorian Minister that he no longer commanded his trust after the release of the damning Ombudsman’s report in the dealings of the Brimbank Council.
Amongst other findings the Ombudsman talked about improper interference in the council from Labor MPs Theo Theophanous and George Seitz.
Mr Socratous was quoted in the Ombudsman’s report giving evidence to the fact of Mr Theophanous interference.
Mr Theophanous made reference in Parliament on Tuesday about Mr Socratous’ contact with the Ombudsman: “I believe that Socratous misled the Ombudsman and is now trying to make money from it as well.
The Ombudsman should have another look at the injustice done to me by this man who claimed he felt pressured by me but all the while when he worked for me it was he was threatening me with publicly attacking the Labor Party and the Government and voting against me in internal ALP ballots.”
When contacted by Neos Kosmos, Mr Socratous vehemently denied these accusations and said that he demands an apology from Mr Theophanous, otherwise he is poised as he said, “to exhaust all legal means at my disposal.”
Members of the Greek Cypriot community at Sunshine suggested to Neos Kosmos English Edition (NKEE) that the spillover from the Brimbank scandal has serious ramifications for the community, particularly as Mr Theophanous is of Greek Cypriot background.
“The situation is at a boiling point,” one member who wished to remain anonymous said. “And most probably we haven’t seen the worst of it yet,” this member added with emphasis, referring to additional damaging revelations that could emerge regarding Brimbank.
Last week the Ombudsman released another report revolving a former building inspector of Brimbank Council. According to a report in The Age, Peter Anastasi “misused his power for personal gain in a property deal”.
Mr Anastasi allegedly bought a property that he was investigating for building code violations.
The Ombudsman referred the matter to the police pending the pressing of criminal charges against Mr Anastasi.