Former Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson is among 12 people charged with bribery and misconduct relating to council contracts, Merseyside Police said
Derek Hatton, a former deputy leader of the council, has also been charged.
The charges are connected to the awarding of commercial and business contracts from Liverpool City Council between 2010 and 2020.
It follows a long-running investigation known as Operation Aloft.
The 12 people have been charged with offences ranging from misconduct in public office, to bribery, and conspiracy to commit offences.
They range in age from 29 to 77, and are due to appear at Preston Magistrates Court on 28 March.
The full charges are:
- Phillipa Cook, 49 years of Rookery Drive, Mossley Hill, charged with two counts of bribery
- Alex Croft, 29 years, of Bold Lane, Aughton, Lancashire, charged with one count of bribery
- Julian Flanagan, 53 years, of Poplar Avenue, Crosby charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery
- Paul Flanagan 61 years, of Ormskirk Road, Knowsley Village, charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery
- Derek Hatton, 77 years, of Livingston Drive, Aigburth, charged with one count of bribery and one count of counsel or procure misconduct in a public office
- Sonjia Hatton, 49 years, of Livingston Drive, Aigburth, charged with one count of misconduct in a public office
- Nicholas Kavanagh, 56 years, of Rookery Drive, Mossley Hill, charged with two counts of bribery – former Director at Liverpool City Council
- Adam McLean, 54 years, of Acrefield Road, Woolton, charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery
- James Shalliker, 38 years of School Lane, Downholland, Lancashire, charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery
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