Port Pirie Mayor John Rohde defends council-funded trip where he met Filipino girlfriend
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The Port Pirie Council has cleared Mayor John Rohde of any wrongdoing in his role in regard to a relationship he reportedly had while on council-funded trade missions.
Adelaide media has reported Mr Rohde met an online girlfriend while he was in the Philippines as a representative of the council.
Mr Rohde said he would not be commenting on private matters.
"In relation to this matter all proper and relevant issues have been the subject of a full review commissioned by council, which quite properly determined that there was no impropriety or wrong doing," Mr Rohde said.
He said the report found no council funds were spent on personal matters.
"I strongly reiterate that there was definitely no impropriety in my role as mayor and I will continue to work hard for my community as I have always done."
The council's chief executive Andrew Johnson confirmed Mr Rohde travelled to the Philippines on behalf of the council twice in 2016.
"These trips have previously been reported publicly at council meetings following the visits," he said.
He said the council investigated whether or not Mr Rohde spent any council money on private matters while on away.
"Following an internal audit, council is satisfied that there was no misuse of council funds by Mayor Rohde."
Mr Rohde was elected Mayor of Port Pirie in 2014.
Topics: local-government, government-and-politics, port-pirie-5540, sa, australia
