A former town hall leader accused of fraud and misconduct in a public office will not be suspended from sitting on the council.
Cllr Sandy Ezekiel, who represents the Clitonville East ward for the Conservative Party on Thanet District Council, was charged this week with fraud by abuse of position.
The 59-year-old – real name Maurice –of Crow Hill, Broadstairs, was also charged with misconduct in a public office.
Officers from the Serious Economic Crime Unit of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate also charged 64-year-old Philip Emanuel, of Laleham Gardens, Margate, with aiding and abetting fraud by abuse of position.
Despite the criminal investigation, a council spokeswoman said the authority would not be suspending Cllr Ezekiel from his elected position.
“This is an outstanding criminal matter that is being dealt with by the police,” she said.
Shadow Tory leader Cllr Robert Bayford said no decision had yet been made on whether Cllr Ezekiel would be suspended from the party.
“We haven’t addressed that yet; it’s something the Conservative group in Thanet and the Conservative Party will have to review,” he said.
Police say the alleged offences are related to a property in King Street, Margate, between September 2009 and February 2011.
Senior Crown Prosecutor with the CPS South East Complex Casework Unit Ken Goss said he advised Kent Police to charge the two men.
