Former Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson has been charged with bribery and misconduct following an extensive police investigation.
Anderson is among 12 people to be charged with offences relating to the awarding of commercial and business contracts from Liverpool City Council between 2010 and 2020.
Merseyside Police confirmed the charges following its Operation Aloft probe into property developments.
Anderson, who was elected mayor in 2012, was first arrested in 2020 and stepped down in 2021.
He also led Liverpool City Council from 2010-12.
“Please after my arrest this morning [avoid] fall[ing] into the trap of saying ‘no smoke without fire’,” Anderson posted on X on Friday lunchtime.
“I am innocent of charges and will fight to clear my name. Thank you for all the messages of support and best wishes. Will make a further statement later.”
A spokesperson for Liverpool City Council told the BBC it had supported the police investigation and would continue to do so, adding: “It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”
The other 11 people to be charged are:
David Anderson, 37 years, Wincanton Street, Wavertree, charged with one count of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office
Andrew Barr, 51 years, of Kendal Way, Ainsdale, charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office and one count of bribery – former Assistant Director at Liverpool City Council
Phillipa Cook, 49 years of Rookery Drive, Mossley Hill, charged with two counts of bribery
Alex Croft, 29 years, of Bold Lane, Aughton, Lancashire, charged with one count of bribery
Julian Flanagan, 53 years, of Poplar Avenue, Crosby charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery
Paul Flanagan 61 years, of Ormskirk Road, Knowsley Village, charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery
Derek Hatton, 77 years, of Livingston Drive, Aigburth, charged with one count of bribery and one count of counsel or procure misconduct in a public office
Sonjia Hatton, 49 years, of Livingston Drive, Aigburth, charged with one count of misconduct in a public office
Nicholas Kavanagh, 56 years, of Rookery Drive, Mossley Hill, charged with two counts of bribery – former Director at Liverpool City Council
Adam McLean, 54 years, of Acrefield Road, Woolton, charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery
James Shalliker, 38 years of School Lane, Downholland, Lancashire, charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery
All those charged will appear at Preston Magistrates Court on Friday 28th March 2025.