FORMER Division 4 councillor Dave Cullen has intensified his criticisms of Ipswich City Council by referring CEO Sonia Cooper to the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC).

In recent social media posts, he described CEO Cooper as the Mayor’s “sidekick”, alleging that the council under their leadership was “far from transparent” and hinting at misconduct.

Mr Cullen also said Mayor Teresa Harding “complained about everyone who disagrees with her”.

Mayor Harding has now written to Mr Cullen, issuing a “notice of concern” and requesting he publicly retract his comments. It is unknown currently if defamation proceedings might follow.

Mr Cullen’s latest remarks follow earlier criticisms published in The Tribune in June 2025, in which he alleged systemic dysfunction, financial mismanagement, a toxic workplace culture, and failures of internal oversight at Ipswich City Council.

He claimed that “egos, not evidence” drove decision-making, and that concerns over missing funds, staff promotions, consultancy spending, and asset management were “buried” or dismissed.

He also criticised service delivery and spending practices, describing a workplace that left him “dreading walking into that building”.

Council rejected Mr Cullen’s characterisations, saying he had provided no evidence to support his allegations and that concerns should have been referred to the CCC.

To date, none of Mr Cullen’s claims have been substantiated, and there have been no findings of wrongdoing against Mayor Harding or CEO Cooper.

Mr Cullen this week said he stood by his remarks.

“If any business ran their operations like Ipswich City Council does, they would be broke in a week,” he added.

The Mayor declined to comment.