Thursday 18 December 2014

`Powerful` Labour Party Councillor facing new allegations.


Above, Mahboob Hussain 


The investigation into Sandwell Council`s Deputy Leader, Mahboob Hussain has been widened to include fresh allegations which have been made to the police. The Regional Organised Crime Unit`s inquiry was originally focused on irregular sales of council assets but now questions are being asked about vote rigging and taxi licencing issues.
A source close to the investigation revealed that the remit has indeed widened and will take longer to conclude. The source said "A number of people have come forward with information since the beginning of the investigation in October", And as a result of this, new claims have come to light concerning alleged instances of voter fraud, taxi licencing irregularities and other allegations concerning historic family disputes.
The source also added "The investigation will now last well into the New Year when at one stage it was thought it would be over and done with by Christmas. The police inquiry was sparked after community blogger, Julian Saunders made on line allegations concerning council land, including former toilets and the former Smethwick Coroners Court being sold to Hussains family members. The blogger also revealed that he has passed information on to the police about the cancellation of parking tickets to the police.
Powerful Oldbury Councillor, Mahboob Hussain stood down as Chairman of the councils asset management and land disposal committee but remains the Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for town and neighbourhood services despite calls for him to resign.
In September he had to apologise for failing to declare an interest in FIVE STAR TAXI`s which won lucrative contracts from Sandwell Council.
Detective Inspector Chris Berrow, from the Regional Organised Crime Unit, said " As part of our on-going inquiries we have spoken to a number of people and have visited a number of properties to gather as much information as possible, we will then start the lengthy process of accessing the information to determine whether or not any crimes have been committed. 

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