Salim Mehajer arrives at the Downing Centre court complex on Tuesday.  Credit:Daniel Munoz His sister Fatima has also been charged with a string of similar offences, which carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.  In the Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, prosecutor Michelle England said there was a new investigation under way that could see Mr Mehajer face even more charges. " It appears that further serious criminal activity has been engaged in, in furtherance of that electoral fraud," Ms England said. " It's not yet clear who is responsible for that behaviour." 

A fresh investigating has been launched into Salim Mehajer.  Credit:Daniel Munoz Mr Mehajer's brother-in-law, Jamal Elkheir, and five others who ran as candidates in the poll, were facing charges of producing a false or misleading document but these charges have since been withdrawn.  Developments in the co-accused's matters, the court heard, relate to the new investigation.  Salim Mehajer speaking to Spanish police on the island of Ibiza.  Credit:A Current Affair A handful of charges have also been withdrawn against Mr Mehajer, but the bulk remain. 

Ms England and defence barristers for the Mehajer siblings all submitted a joint application to adjourn a two-week-long hearing into the matter that was due to start next week.  The court heard that Ms Mehajer, who is 23 weeks pregnant, was suffering from a medical condition that would make it "untenable" for her to sit through the hearing.  Nearly 150 witnesses would be required and the hearing would take as long as eight weeks if it went ahead presently, the court heard.  A new timetable for the case is due to be set down early next month.  Mehajer, 30, who is due to release his own toiletries line, has previously brushed off the electoral fraud allegations. 

He told Fairfax Media last year it was "all a political game targeting Auburn Council as a whole; just like how we were confirmed to merge with Strathfield, Burwood and Canada Bay" and now Holroyd Council. " Welcome to politics," he said. " It's full of hidden agendas to make me step down."  He questioned the strength of the AFP's case, saying the matter was "open in 2012". " If their case was strong, they would of [sic] not let me sit a day on council," he said. " I sat four years as deputy mayor, so why didn't they act earlier, when the case was open and when I personally contacted the AFP many times in 2012, 2013 and 2014 to take this matter seriously and deal with it as priority?" 



He is, however, no stranger to the legal system.  His apprehended violence order disputes with his estranged wife, brother-in-law and Bruce Herat, the father of Sydney siege victim Joe Herat, have been well documented.