Ipswich Mayor Andrew Antoniolli has been charged with fraud, the city's second mayor in 12 months to be investigated for corruption.
Queensland's Crime and Corruption Commission charged Antoniolli, 47, with seven counts of fraud at Ipswich watch-house on Wednesday before he was bailed.
The Ipswich councillor, first elected to council in 2000 at age 29, became mayor last August, just two months after long-time mayor Paul Pisasale resigned before being arrested on corruption and misconduct charges.
"The CCC will allege the man utilised Ipswich City Council funds for his own use to purchase auction items from charitable organisations between 26 October 2011 and 20 May 2017," the CCC said in a statement.
Antoniolli, who is expected to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on May 16, expressed "disappointment and frustration" with being charged.
The former police officer said he would not be stepping down following the charges.
"Let me be clear, I have never been involved in corrupt or criminal activity and I intend to fight these charges," he said in a statement.
"These charges will not define me. In the mayoral by-election last year I stood on a platform of accountability and transparency.
"I have been committed to bringing about much-needed change at Ipswich City Council - cultural change, policy change, governance change, leadership change.
"I promised to lift the veil of secrecy and to review our policies and procedures to increase transparency, and while there is more work to be done, we have made incredible inroads in regards to significant culture and governance reform."
The matter is the latest blight on the scandal-plagued council's reputation.
Mr Pisasale resigned last June, two weeks before being slapped with fraud, corruption and misconduct charges.
Jim Lindsay stood down as chief executive in January after being charged in September with official corruption, disobedience to statute law and disclosing a confidential document, while former chief operating officer Craig Maudsley is facing misconduct allegations.
Councillors expressed a desire to move on from the scandals when they approved the promotion of senior official Sean Madigan to chief executive on Tuesday.
