EXONERATED former Logan City councillor Trevina Schwarz says news fraud charges against her and ex-colleagues have been dropped is the birthday present of a lifetime.
Charges levelled at Mrs Schwarz, Cherie Dalley, Jennifer Breene, Russell Lutton, Phillip Pidgeon, Laurence Smith and Stephen Swenson were dropped in Brisbane Magistrates Court yesterday.
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Prosecutors told the court they did not have enough evidence to proceed against the cohort after they were charged by Queensland's Crime and Corruption Commission in 2019. Cheers rang out in the courtroom.
Fraud charges against Mr Smith were also dropped, but the former mayor is still facing a District Court trial on two charges of misconduct in relation to public office.
The news came in time for Ms Schwarz's 48th today, and she said it was worth celebrating for years.
"It is the birthday present of a lifetime," she said.
"It will be difficult to take the smile off my face now. I have got my life back.
"It's such a relief after such a treacherous time."
Mrs Schwarz said she met with the rest of the group for a coffee after the result came through.
"It was wonderful to be able to sit there and be able to be compassionate towards each other, and to give each other that support," she said.
She ruled out running against Scott Bannan at the next council elections. Her division 11 was split when the borders changed.
"Scott's a personal friend of time, and I won't run against him, that's all I'll say," she said.
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