Barrister Sam Di Carlo charged with perjury

The high-profile Brisbane barrister who provided an explanation for Paul Pisasale carrying $50,000 in cash through a Melbourne airport has been charged with perjury and banned from contacting the former Ipswich mayor.

Sam Di Carlo, 60, has been charged with possessing ammunition without authority, unlawful possession of restricted drugs and two counts of perjury, the Crime and Corruption Commission announced on Friday morning.

The CCC alleged the perjury was committed during an investigative hearing conducted as part of a CCC investigation.

The organisation raided an Eight Mile Plains property on Thursday, allegedly finding ammunition and a restricted drug.

Mr Di Carlo was granted watchhouse bail without facing court, to make his first appearance on September 14.

As part of bail conditions, the barrister has been barred from contacting Mr Pisasale and a range of the former mayor’s associates, including developers Chris Pinzone and Chris Zenonos.

According to the court file, his bail conditions also restrict the barrister from contacting Mr Pisasale’s property lawyer, Cameron McKenzie, and accused fraudster Hui Tian.

Mr Di Carlo had been representing Mr Tian and told reporters Mr Pisasale was carrying the $50,000 as a favour to settle a Supreme Court matter involving Mr Tian.

Mr Pisasale, wearing a dressing gown and citing his ailing health, resigned as the mayor of Ipswich in June, the day after the CCC raided his home and council office.

The next day, it emerged the former councillor had been stopped with $50,000 cash at Tullamarine Airport on May 13.

Mr Di Carlo soon came forward to tell reporters Mr Pisasale had been carrying the cash for him to settle a civil matter involving Mr Tian, saying the Ipswich man had done “absolutely nothing wrong”.

"If you are anything like me, you will know a little bit about friendships," he said at the time.

"They are one of the most special things in the world.

"And if had got you into some difficulty as a result of some misunderstanding, I am sure you would expect me to get you out of that position as soon as you can.

"I am Sicilian, I'm Italian and loyalty among friends is most important."

Mr Pisasale was later charged with three offences, including extortion, which he pledged to defend.

Prosecutors added two more charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice, one of which referred to an allegation he contacted his former driver Steve Potts in an attempt to convince him to modify a statement to the CCC.

Mr McKenzie has also been charged with extortion, a charge he vowed to fight.