Embattled former Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale has spoken at length publicly for the first time since he was charged with extortion, claiming working too hard was his only mistake.
Speaking to the Queensland Times, Mr Pisasale refused to discuss the extortion and other criminal charges he faced or an ongoing Crime and Corruption Commission investigation.
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Pisasale retires from Ipswich Council
Long serving Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale resigns from Ipswich City Council, citing a multiple sclerosis attack. 7 News Queensland
"The only thing I say is that I love the people of Ipswich. The only mistake I made is that I pushed myself too hard," he said.
"Let it be a lesson that when you have MS and are working virtually seven days a week for an incredible amount of years, you are not bullet-proof.
"You are bound to fall over and make bad decisions and that's what has happened to me. But as I try to get myself better, I will continue to love my city.
"When I get well I hope to be back on deck and helping Ipswich from a community point of view."
The 65-year-old resigned wearing a dressing gown and socks in an Ipswich hospital a day after the state's crime and corruption watchdog raided the council and his home in June.
He cited his ongoing battle with multiple sclerosis, a disease he had suffered from since 1998.
The next day it was revealed Mr Pisasale had been stopped by Australian Federal Police after he was found carrying a suitcase with $50,000 in cash through Melbourne Airport in May.
Two weeks later, the former mayor was charged with extortion, not related to the cash, and two other charges and freed on bail despite police concerns he could interfere with witnesses.
Outside court, he said he would fight the charges and was on the way to his doctor.
Speaking from a health facility in Brisbane for the interview, Mr Pisasale said he had suffered a nervous breakdown but insisted he would recover.
"Either I do that, or I die," Mr Pisasale said.
"Everybody has got to come through something.
"At the moment my highest priority is my health.
"Once, I thought that 'men's health' (issues) were something I fund-raised for and that somebody else got.
"But now I am realising that I am the worst offender."
Mr Pisasale's case is due back before the court in September.
"I deal with doctors every day. It is a lesson that I gave so much to Ipswich it affected my health and my family," he told the QT.
The competition for a replacement mayor of Ipswich continues.