The groom at the center of Sydney’s ‘wedding of the century’ allegedly had a fake police ID and a mysterious stash of cancer drugs seized in a 2008 raid.
Salim Mehajer, now Auburn’s deputy mayor and a millionaire real estate developer, was a civil engineering student earning $500 a week when the items were seized from his home as part of a fraud investigation, the department said finances. Today’s telegraph reports.
Police say they found the fake badge reading ‘Const Salim Mehajer’ during a raid on his Lidcombe home seven years ago, but Mr Mehajer told officers it was made by a friend for a fancy dress party.
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Salim Mehajer, Auburn’s deputy mayor and millionaire real estate developer, was a civil engineering student earning $500 a week when police seized a fake police ID and a mysterious stash of cancer drugs.
He has not been accused of fraud.
Officers from the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad also said they found two packets containing 12 tablets of Nolvadex-D, a brand of prescription medication used to treat advanced breast cancer.
Mr Mehajer successfully fought the convictions in the Parramatta District Court in 2009.
The revelations come after he apologized on Tuesday for the chaos caused by his August 15 wedding when he blocked the roads for a huge motorcade of Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Harley Davidsons.
In an ad in the local newspaper, Auburn Review, Mr. Mehajer said he and the Auburn City Council had received “negative media coverage” since his marriage.
Mr Mehajer said he had done everything within his “control” to ensure his marriage caused minimal disruption to “the Council and, more importantly, the people of Auburn and Lidcombe”.
Auburn City Council Deputy Major Salim Mehajer published a notice in the local newspaper apologizing for the traffic outrage his Aug. 15 wedding caused to residents.
Mr Mehajer says it wasn’t his fault the helicopters and huge motorcade of Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Harley Davidsons caused problems
He said he had sought permission to partially close Frances Street in Lidcombe and had hired a traffic controller to minimize any traffic problems linked to his marriage to Aysha Mehajer.
The problems that occurred were caused by “third parties,” he said, and “the actions of the third parties involved are being reviewed to determine whether there was a breach of duty.”
Residents attacked the deputy major after the Sydney suburb was brought to a standstill as a huge motorcade of luxury cars worth $50 million traveled along Frances Street, Lidcombe, for his wedding.
The parade also featured street performers banging on large drums, a private jet, stretch limousines as well as four helicopters that transported the groom to the ceremony.
The party was joined by Footy Show comedian Beau Ryan, who acted as master of ceremonies, and ARIA award-winning singer-songwriter Missy Higgins.
Mr and Mrs Mejaher (pictured together in a new photo) caused trouble when their marriage brought the Sydney suburb of Lidcombe to a standstill on Saturday August 15.
The parade also included street performers banging on large drums, a private jet, stretch limousines as well as four helicopters that transported the groom to the ceremony.
At a council meeting on August 19, the new husband was fined just $220 by the Auburn council following an emergency motion.
The fine was issued to the wedding organizers and was linked to the closure of Frances Street, Lidcombe, due to traffic problems caused by Mr Mehajer’s huge wedding in the area.
Days after their wedding, Mr. and Mrs. Mehajer starred in their own video in which they underwent an “aged” makeover in order to see what they would look like as they aged together.
The couple filmed a video of themselves being transformed by a team of makeup artists aged 50, 70 and 90.
In the clip, an elderly Ms Mehajer said: “It’s nice to see each other old because we always… said we would grow old together.”
At a council meeting on August 19, the newlywed was fined just $220 by council following an emergency motion.
The couple’s wedding celebration (pictured) was over-the-top and extravagant
Layered with soft piano music and declarations of a happy future, the clip bears striking similarities to a viral video filmed by American couple Tavis and Kristle earlier this year.
Like the American couple, Mr. and Mrs. Mehajer are filmed transforming in makeup, costume and hair.
In middle age, Mr. Mehajer appears to have developed something of a bowl cut, while his partner looks dapper in a patterned scarf and business blazer.
At “90”, Mrs. Mehajer appears very wrinkled and makes fun of her husband, who has a shock of white hair and many jokes about dentures to go with it.
A few days after their wedding, Mr. and Mrs. Mehajer starred in their own senior reception and makeover video so they could see what they would look like as they grew old together.
Details about Ms Mehajer’s past – she was previously a beautician named April Learmonth – were also revealed.
Friends revealed information about Ms Mehajer’s background as a beautician in suburban Wollongong to Daily Mail Australia.
Before converting to Islam, adopting the name of the Prophet Muhammad’s wife and marrying the love of her life, Ms. Mehajer was April Amelia Learmonth.
“She changed his whole life for him,” a high school friend told Daily Mail Australia, referring to Aysha’s name, religion, hair color and profession.
Another friend said many old acquaintances didn’t even know she had changed her name.
Company documents show Ms Mehajer worked at MC’s beauty salon in Figtree, south of Sydney, from 2006 to 2011.
She now works for her husband’s real estate development company, Sydney Project Group, according to the company’s website.