Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour has commented on his “public lynching”. 

An upper house inquiry into the City of Canterbury-Bankstown Council has found the mayor's expense claims for designer suits and spa treatments bought on overseas trips were “out of step with the community's expectations”. 

Cr Khal Asfour has been critical of the findings, calling them a “public lynching”, and claiming that there is no basis of fact or evidence to support them. 

Cr Asfour has also denied allegations of impropriety that were levelled at him by ex-Labor MP Tania Mihailuk, and asserted that he acted within local government policy.

The inquiry, which was ordered after corruption allegations were levelled at Cr Asfour, also concluded that “close relationships” existed between councillors and developers in the city's south-west. 

Cr Asfour has described the allegations as “false” and “beyond a joke”. 

The inquiry made no findings of corruption against Cr Asfour, but the committee has recommended that the Office of Local Government review its expenditure guidelines for mayors and councillors.

The inquiry chair, Aileen MacDonald, has criticised the administration and leadership of the council, and has raised concerns about the links between councillors and developers in Canterbury-Bankstown. 

MacDonald stated that evidence was uncovered of property developers using “shell companies” to obscure payments to council candidates and sidestep political donations laws. 

The committee recommended that the NSW Government review the potential for property developers to bypass laws banning them from making donations to political parties or figures.

Cr Asfour has withdrawn from Labor's upper house ticket for next month's state election, citing a “vicious smear campaign” against him. 

A separate inquiry, ordered by Canterbury-Bankstown council and led by high-profile barrister Arthur Moses SC, cleared Cr Asfour of wrongdoing. 

However, the inquiry criticised a media statement, sent under the Canterbury-Bankstown letterhead, as a “misuse” of council resources. 

Cr Asfour says he welcomes further investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).