Victorian Labor and local government figure Michael Teti may face fresh weapons charges in a development that is likely to increase pressure on Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews to suspend Cr Teti from the ALP.
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On Monday, the mayor and chief executive of Moreland City Council urged Cr Teti, who is already facing three firearms charges, to stand down until his court matters are resolved.
The calls came after Fairfax Media revealed that Cr Teti recently had an arrest warrant issued after he failed to appear before court on the charges, which carry fines or up to a year in jail if proved.
Fairfax Media also revealed Cr Teti, a serving Moreland councillor and state Labor Party delegate, had his local council election partly bankrolled by figures connected to Melbourne's Calabrian Mafia. Cr Teti has also been working for a Mafia figure as a legal and business adviser.
On Monday, sources close to Cr Teti said that in the past week he had been questioned by police in connection to fresh allegations about ammunition licensed to Cr Teti but that may have been in the possession of Cr Teti's associates.
The sources said the questioning related to a second alleged incident involving a breach of the firearms act, with Cr Teti's existing charges relating to a weapon discovered by uniformed police officers in his car late last year.
While Fairfax Media is not suggesting Cr Teti has any involvement in organised crime, several of his associates are suspects in the shooting up of Woodstock pizza restaurants earlier this year.
Fairfax Media can also reveal that Cr Teti's 2012 local government election campaign was supported by a Labor Party politician who provided printing services. It is unclear if these services were disclosed.
On Monday, Cr Teti could not be contacted, but on Sunday he declined to comment on his criminal charges or his relationship with a Mafia boss.
Labor leader Daniel Andrews said if the allegations against Cr Teti were proved then he should be expelled from the ALP.
"I don't know that I have ever met this person," Mr Andrews said. "I certainly don't know him. If any of these matters are proven against him, there will be no place for him in the Australian Labor Party."
The Opposition Leader first became aware of the allegations when he read The Age on Monday morning.
Mr Andrews did not answer directly questions about a review of the local branch membership.
"I'm not aware of any other claims or any other allegations; I just want to be very clear about that … If there is any other information people should go forward to the authorities."
Moreland mayor Lambros Tapinos said he and other councillors were shocked and disappointed by the revelations.
Mr Tapinos said the council was seeking legal advice on whether it could refer the matters involving Cr Teti for further investigation by bodies such as the Local Government Inspector, the Ombudsman or the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission.
He said the council had limited powers to stand down Cr Teti. He said the Victorian Parliament needed to review local government laws to give councils more power to deal with alleged misconduct by elected officials.
Moreland City Council chief executive Peter Brown said Monday's report on Cr Teti was the first anyone in the council knew of Cr Teti's charges and dealings with alleged Mafia figures.
Mr Brown said both he and the mayor had on Monday urged Cr Teti to go on leave until his legal matters were resolved.
"This matter is damaging to council's standing in the community, we are seeking legal advice to determine what council can do," he said. "Cr Teti is facing charges, so we need to be careful not to be seen to be pre-emptive of the court action. It would be best for all if Cr Teti sought a leave of absence until this matter was resolved."
