Cinis retains Council position

Alan Cinis remains a Leichhardt councillor following his well-publicised arrest on drugs charges – but the actor and Greens representative was nowhere to be seen at the November ordinary meeting. Instead, Cinis was understood to be preparing for a trip overseas, prior to his court appearance in mid-December.

Cr Cinis was arrested on November 9, following a tip-off and subsequent raid on his Leichhardt home. Police are alleged to have found more than 300 grams of “green vegetable matter” in a total of 12 plastic resealable bags during the raid.

They also found one plastic bag containing seeds, and six plants in his backyard.

Cr Cinis was charged with four offences – deem supply, cultivating a prohibited plant, possessing a prohibited drug, and possessing a prohibited plant.

He was later released on bail.

The offences carry a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.

Section 37 of the Local Government Act states a council officer is automatically disqualified from his or her position, if sentenced to more than one year in prison.

If found guilty and sentenced to more than one year before September 2011, Cinis’ position on Council would be filled via a by-election. A similar outcome after that date would mean his position was left vacant until the next round of council elections in 2012.

A statement from Leichhardt Council noted that, as the matter was presently with the police and did not directly pertain to Council, they were currently unable to comment.

Cr Cinis had previously revealed his intention not to stand again for Council at the scheduled expiration of his term.

A post by Cinis on his Facebook account a few days after his arrest – since deleted – described the situation as, “Greens bashing by the frightened big players.”

He is due to appear in Balmain Local Court on December 15.