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This was published 4 years ago
Salim Mehajer to 'tell his story' to 60 Minutes
Don't be fooled by Salim Mehajer's apparent reticence towards the camera on Tuesday morning, he's coming to a television screen near you very soon.
The disgraced former Auburn councillor and developer's love of the camera has not abated since spending 11 months behind bars at Cooma Correctional Prison after being convicted of electoral fraud.
While Mehajer largely ignored the waiting media pack on Tuesday morning, he was swept away by a waiting van which PS can reveal was carrying a crew from 60 Minutes. Mehajer was taken to an undisclosed location to be interviewed.
Initially a Channel Nine spokeswoman told PS Mehajer had approached 60 Minutes to "tell his story" over a year ago via his legal team, however 60 Minutes executive producer Kirsty Thomson subsequently said this was incorrect and confirmed that it was in fact her team which had made the initial approach to Mehajer. Thomson confirmed no money had changed hands.
Mehajer was seen leaving Cooma Prison with his lawyer, Zali Burrows, by his side.
The Proceeds of Crime Act prohibits convicted criminals from earning money off the back of their notoriety derived from their crime.
Inside the van outside Cooma Prison a film crew from 60 Minutes was waiting to take delivery of Mehajer, with cameras capturing his first moments as a free man. However there was no reporter in the van, just a producer and camera crew.
It is not clear when an interview would be broadcast, though it is unlikely to be this Sunday.
Wearing a blue suit and tie, Mehajer did not answer questions from waiting media as he walked from the doors of the correctional centre to the waiting vehicle with Burrows.
Mehajer, who once went on national television to declare his desire to become prime minister, was found guilty in April 2018 of being part of a 2012 electoral fraud plot that helped put him on Auburn City Council.
Salim Mehajer and his lawyer Zali Burrows are seen as he leaves Cooma Correctional Centre in Cooma.Credit: AAP
He was jailed in June but the conclusion of his 11-month stint in prison won't mark the end of his legal woes.
He's still fighting allegations he staged a 2017 crash which saw his Mercedes AMG collide with another vehicle just before he was meant to appear in court over a taxi driver assault.
The 32-year-old was also charged with fresh fraud offences on Friday.
NSW Police allege Mehajer nominated another person as the driver of his vehicles which had received infringement notices.
He was charged with four counts of making a false declaration and four counts of "dealing in identification information".
Mehajer in early 2018 was convicted for slamming a car door on the arm of Seven Network reporter Laura Banks as he tried to leave a Sydney police station in April 2017.
The judge did not hand Mehajer a penalty for his "reckless" actions against Ms Banks.
The disgraced property developer is due back before Cooma Local Court in July.
With AAP
60 Minutes is owned by Nine, publisher of this website