http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Darwin-mayor-found-guilty-of-theft/2007/07/13/1183833761978.html

Darwin's lord mayor has been found guilty of using stolen council funds to buy a fridge, underwear and a Darth Vader voice distorter.

Peter Adamson, who has been on leave of absence since December, maintained his innocence and refused to resign from his elected position on Friday.

"I know, myself, that I at no stage stole or have been dishonest," he told reporters outside court.

Adamson, 47, a former Country Liberal Party (CLP) minister in the Northern Territory government, was found guilty in Darwin Magistrates Court of two of the four charges against him, including stealing and making a false statement in declaration.

The court found the mayor went on a "spending spree" with stolen council funds less than 24 hours before the end of the 2005/06 financial year, buying a $910 fridge and $1,800 worth of gift vouchers.

The fridge turned up in an East Timorese thrift store about four months later, while police found most of the items bought with the gift vouchers - including women's underwear, the Star Wars character voice distorter, and a punching bag - at Adamson's home or his council office.

The whereabouts of the fridge caused a local media storm in Darwin. Adamson and his partner courted more controversy when they attended a New Year's Eve party dressed as the offending white good and a police officer.

from darwin - he was probably drunk at the time.

At least he has a sense of humor - 'Adamson and his partner courted more controversy when they attended a New Year's Eve party dressed as the offending white good and a police officer. '