Source : the age
This ICAC inquiry has spanned over 30 days now, calling Liberal powerbrokers, former mayors and even fugitive property developer Jean Nassif to give evidence.
With the inquiry touching both sides of politics, the Catholic School system and now local council dramas, here’s a quick recap of the allegations under investigation.
Given that memory loss has been a key feature of this corruption inquiry, Jeremy Greenwood’s return for his sixth day in the witness box has provided some helpful reminders, especially about crowd favourite Anita Perrottet.
Greenwood was accused of “manufacturing evidence” about the “bogus” work Anita Perrottet did for him.
“You’re trying to stitch up your evidence and the lies are not, in fact, making up any sort of reasonable narrative,” suggested counsel assisting the inquiry, Dr Peggy Dwyer, SC.
At the heart of this inquiry is precisely what advice the sister-in-law of former premier Dominic Perrottet provided to be paid the extraordinary sum of $660,699 by Greenwood and Christian Ellis’s lobbying company, Beckington.
Hello and welcome to another day of public hearing’s in the ICAC’s Operation Rosny inquiry.
I’m state political reporter Jessica McSweeney, and I’ll be bringing you all the latest updates as the corruption probe turns to allegations of blackmail and illegal surveillance among Strathfield councillors.
Today we’ll hear evidence from real estate agent Mohammad Abedin, who was a colleague of former mayor Matthew Blackmore.
First, let’s take a look at what we covered yesterday:
- Jeremy Greenwood denied having a financial arrangement with Charles Perrottet to share in $2 million coming from Jean Nassif. He said Anita Perrottet was paid in part for her own work and in part for her husband’s advice, but Greenwood denies this met the definition of a financial arrangement.
- Greenwood insisted Anita Perrottet was paid for genuine work, despite the absence of any documents or written work.
- Jean Nassif didn’t want large project payments to Greenwood outlined in written agreements, the ICAC heard, and Greenwood couldn’t explain why Beckington sent invoices worth close to $1 million to Toplace in a single day.
- Beckington and Greenwood’s other company JPG Advisory are both identified as creditors in the collapse of Toplace, claiming $1.4 million and $721,700 respectively. Greenwood said he wasn’t aware of this and never submitted any forms to be considered a creditor.
- Greenwood denied manufacturing his evidence, and rejected suggestions he colluded with Charles Perrottet before appearing at the commission.
