A former WA Liberal politician will be tried for allegations that he obstructed a corruption investigation into his taxpayer-funded sex trips, massages and luxury dinners.
Phil Edman faced a Perth court Wednesday morning with five charges arising from the 2019 Crime and Corruption Commission investigation, which eventually found him misusing his $ 78,000 annual election endowment.
These criminal allegations involve alerting four associates about the investigation, including former upper house MP Nigel Hallett.
Phil Edman faces a Perth court charge of five counts of the 2019 Crime and Corruption Commission investigation (9 News)
The watchdog’s report caused a prolonged tug-of-war with the state parliament over Edman’s laptop, which he spoke of in secret telephone conversations, claiming it contained “dirt” that could “end the races.”
Edman’s lawyer, Finola Barr, told out-of-court reporters that her client “has made firm statements of not guilty” and that she will “defend all charges.”
The date for his trial is likely to be set later this month.