Disgraced developer Salim Mehajer briefly resurfaces on Instagram after prison release
Bankrupt former Auburn deputy mayor posts a short video driving a Tesla, then deletes it hours later; parole and bankruptcy rules loom over his post-release conduct.
Disgraced property developer Salim Mehajer resurfaced on social media shortly after his release from prison, posting a brief Instagram video in which he asks followers whether he should be offended by a joke about driving a Tesla. The 39-year-old ex-Auburn deputy mayor was seen at the wheel of a Tesla Model Y, which starts at $58,000 and can exceed $98,000 for the top Performance model, while wearing Louis Vuitton sunglasses valued at about $855. In the clip, he asked, 'Should I be offended if someone said, 'You look like an Uber driver driving that Tesla'?' and added on-screen text: 'I don't post videos often… but when it's serious business (like this one) I must,' ending with a crying emoji. The post disappeared hours later with no explanation. The soundtrack accompanying the clip included Dutch DJ Tiësto’s 'Let’s Get Down to Business' in the background, and Mehajer appeared relaxed as he drove along the street.
Mehajer was released from prison on July 18 after a five-year stint behind bars. He had been jailed since November 2020, for lying to a court, and has served back-to-back sentences for a string of other offences, including domestic violence against an ex-partner. Immediately after his release, Mehajer headed to Westfield Parramatta to obtain a new driver’s license at the local Service NSW, and then visited a cosmetic dentist in Hornsby in Sydney’s north to spend an hour fixing his teeth.
The NSW State Parole Authority said Mehajer had completed all available programs in prison and that his rehabilitation would be better served in the community, under supervision. Under the terms of his parole, he must undergo drug and alcohol testing, participate in domestic violence programs if directed, and not communicate with any outlaw motorcycle gang bikies or associates. He is also barred from contacting his domestic violence victim and cannot travel to the NSW Central Coast. While in jail, Mehajer pursued a bankruptcy discharge amid a flurry of legal fights, but the Inspector-General in Bankruptcy rejected his appeal, and he remains bankrupt until May 2026.
Bankruptcy restrictions further limit his post-release options: under the bankruptcy arrangement, Mehajer cannot own a car valued above about $9,600 after accounting for any loans, and there are strict limits on borrowing. It was not established which exact Tesla model he was driving, and Daily Mail officials did not allege a breach of bankruptcy conditions, noting only that he posted footage of himself in a Tesla and admitted driving one while bankrupt before deleting the clip. Mehajer’s last public post before this week’s resurfacing was in 2018, a selfie with no caption, but he reappeared on Instagram stories within hours of leaving prison, writing, 'I am forever grateful' and expressing appreciation for his family, friends, and legal team.
Mehajer rose to prominence after a 2015 wedding in western Sydney that was reportedly funded at about $1 million. The ceremony featured a helicopter arrival for the groom, a motorcade of luxury vehicles, and doves, drawing controversy for halting a Lidcombe street and prompting warnings to neighbors. In the wake of the wedding, Mehajer left the local council and drew intense media scrutiny; he told journalists at the time that he aimed to be the next 'superstar.' His post-release social media activity has rekindled interest in how his legal and financial troubles intersect with a public persona that previously thrived on attention.
The episode illustrates how Mehajer’s life continues to attract attention amid ongoing questions about rehabilitation, financial solvency, and compliance with parole. With a parole regime that restricts associations and activities, observers will be watching closely for any further public posts or appearances that may test the terms of his release.