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Twelve people have appeared in court on corruption charges after a six-year investigation into the awarding of local authority property contracts in Liverpool.
The charges have been brought under Operation Aloft, a lengthy probe by Merseyside police into how public contracts were awarded in the city between 2010 and 2020.
Joe Anderson, 67, the city’s former Labour mayor, was among those to appear at Preston Magistrates Court on Friday. Derek Hatton, who was Labour deputy leader of Liverpool council during the 1980s, is among his co-accused, along with three former council officials and Anderson’s son.
Anderson, who stepped down as mayor in 2020, denies bribery, misconduct in a public office and conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office. He appeared in person to confirm his name, age and address during a short hearing on Friday morning.
Hatton is charged with bribery and procuring misconduct in public office. He indicated not guilty pleas to both.
Joe Anderson’s son David Anderson, 37, a businessman, is charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office. He indicated a not guilty plea.
Nicholas Kavanagh, 56, Liverpool council’s former director of regeneration, was among six defendants to appear via video link. He denies two charges of bribery.
Andrew Barr, 51, the council’s former assistant director of regeneration, is accused of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office and bribery. He denies bribery and has not yet indicated a plea to the first charge.
Sonjia Hatton, 49, a former Liverpool council planning officer, is charged with misconduct in public office. She indicated a not guilty plea. Julian Flanagan, 53, and Paul Flanagan, 61, founders of the Flanagan Group building firm, are charged with conspiracy to commit bribery and are yet to enter pleas.
Phillipa Cook, 49, of Mossley Hill denied two charges of bribery. Alex Croft, 29, a property agent and former Labour adviser, denies bribery.
Adam McLean, 54, of Woolton, and James Shalliker, 38, of Downholland, Lancashire, are accused of conspiracy to commit bribery and are yet to enter pleas.
All the accused were granted unconditional bail. The case will next be heard at Preston crown court on April 25.
