The short version
- Maheswaran rejected claims that communications regarding David Elliott were part of a paid arrangement with property developer Jean Nassif.
- The Independent Commission Against Corruption is examining whether political figures received prohibited donations in exchange for damaging opponents.
- Investigators are also looking into allegations involving surveillance breaches and potential blackmail against former Strathfield mayor Matthew Blackmore.
A former Labor councillor has denied to anti-corruption investigators that a message promising to destroy the reputation of a Liberal minister was connected to political work for a fugitive property developer. Sharangan Maheswaran, who previously served on the Strathfield council, appeared before the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) and contested suggestions that his communications with conservative operatives were part of a quid pro quo arrangement involving Jean Nassif.
The inquiry centers on whether Maheswaran and fellow councillor Karen Pensabene engaged in conduct toward former mayor Matthew Blackmore that involved dishonesty, partiality, or a breach of public trust. Investigators are specifically examining allegations that could involve blackmail and potential violations of the Surveillance Devices Act. Maheswaran has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to these specific charges.
During questioning, Icac prosecutor Dr. Dwyer presented a message sent by lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood in February 2020. The communication stated, 'We have something that will kill Elliott,' referring to David Elliott, a former NSW Liberal minister who had opposed developments by Nassif’s company, Toplace. Maheswaran replied that he also possessed damaging information regarding another Liberal MP, Alex Hawke, which was set to be published in the Sydney Morning Herald following an ALP bill targeting developers.
Dwyer argued that these exchanges demonstrated a shared interest between Maheswaran and Greenwood’s firm, Beckington, in harming Elliott’s political standing. However, Maheswaran maintained that while he shared a common interest with Greenwood regarding the Hawke faction of the Liberal party, the messages were not related to work performed by Beckington on behalf of Nassif. He insisted the communications were separate from any commercial or political services provided to the developer.
The broader investigation is scrutinizing whether Greenwood, along with Charles Perrottet and Christian Ellis, anticipated receiving $2 million in prohibited donations from Nassif. The alleged exchange involved securing political outcomes, including damage to Elliott’s career. Greenwood, Perrottet, and Nassif have all denied that any payments were made in return for political favors or influence.
Maheswaran’s connection to Nassif is complex. He served as a lawyer for the developer and became an executive at Toplace in September 2020. The inquiry heard that Maheswaran initially met Nassif through his daughter, Ashlyn Nassif. She recently pleaded guilty to providing false or misleading information to secure a $150 million construction loan from Westpac and was sentenced to a six-month community corrections order.
Maheswaran stated he was subcontracted to perform legal work for Toplace through EA Legal, the firm run by Ashlyn Nassif and her sister Evelyn Helou. This arrangement occurred in late 2019 via another entity, Anwalt Pty Ltd. When Dwyer suggested that Maheswaran and Anwalt were effectively the same operation, Maheswaran pushed back, calling the characterization nonsensical from a corporate and contractual law perspective.
Despite his objections, Maheswaran acknowledged under questioning that he was the sole shareholder and employee of Anwalt at the time. Dwyer pressed him on whether he was the only person performing actual work for the entity, to which Maheswaran agreed. This admission highlights the thin corporate structure through which legal services were allegedly rendered to the developer.
Other testimony has linked Maheswaran to efforts to shield individuals from parliamentary scrutiny. Greenwood previously told the commission that Maheswaran helped arrange a private security guard to prevent him from being summoned to an inquiry that preceded the current Icac investigation. Greenwood also claimed he suggested to Maheswaran that Toplace should cover travel costs for Jean-Claude Perrottet, brother of former premier Dominic Perrottet, to Fiji to avoid the earlier inquiry.
Maheswaran has expressed confidence that his actions will be viewed as lawful and in the public interest. He attended the commission in person while other witnesses provided evidence remotely or through other means. The inquiry continues to unravel the network of relationships between local politicians, lobbyists, and property developers, with significant implications for accountability in New South Wales governance.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗‘We have something that will kill Elliott’: Icac questions former Labor councillor over message
