http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/15171863.Tribunal_hears_allegations_publicly_owned_properties_worth_millions_were_sold_off_for_less_to_associate_of_former_mayor/
Short and sweet with this load of bent bas**ar*s, YES
From memory of stories on this site
* the old post office bought for more than it was worth
* land next to the mail office sold for less than it was worth
* the community money waived at the king oswy pub
* the community money at Wynyard (didn't the developer pay far less than they should have done?)
I'm sure there are many others