A powerbroking schools boss has wiped his devices amid a corruption probe, as he maintained he did not funnel cash to a religious-right state Liberal faction.
Dallas McInerney closed a three-day grilling on Wednesday with revelations he wiped devices over the weekend, helped align a defence against investigative journalists and would likely leave his posting as Catholic Schools NSW chief.
However, he rejected suggestions his dealings with other NSW Liberal insiders served to donate the business’ money to the conservative Reformers faction.
Mr McInerney held consultancy arrangements with Beckington, the company of Liberal lobbyists Jeremy Greenwood and Christian Ellis, and later JPG Advisory, with Mr Greenwood.
Last week, it was put to Mr McInerney the Beckington arrangement amounted to a sham during Independent Commission Against Corruptions hearings.
Counsel assisting Peggy Dwyer SC similarly asked for proof JPG did substantive work on Wednesday.
Mr McInerney contended “there's always value accruing to the company every day the contract's in place” but did not tender additional documents.
He defended a lack of written consultancy records as “safer”.
Ms Dwyer at one point labelled the arrangement a “bogus consultancy”.
Mr McInerney also revealed he factory reset his phone and iPad ahead of his final day of questioning.
On Friday, Mr McInerney found his NAB account blocked and his Apple Pay failed at lunch at the Hunters Hill Hotel.
He wiped his phone in response to the incident, he said.
He took screenshots relating to a conversation he believed he had been compelled to produce before doing so.
He also wiped his iPad to prepare to return it to Catholic Schools NSW, he said, before later adding it also served as a security best practice.
Ms Dwyer questioned why he did not note the matter earlier in the day, to which he said he was not asked.
“Mr McInerney that is just too cute, can I suggest to you ... you have hidden the fact that you have wiped those devices to determine whether it will come out in evidence,” Ms Dwyer said.
Mr McInerney replied: “I’ve only been forthcoming with my co-operation for this commission”.
He additionally told the inquiry he realised he was “not likely” returning to the business and bought his own devices.
Mr McInerney also revealed he created the “Four Corners Ready” WhatsApp group to prepare key Reformers players for an impending program on Liberal infighting in 2022.
The group would allow them to “get our defences up and align potential responses”, and protect Dominic Perrottet, according to messages.
His messages with Christian Ellis were also read to the commission earlier in the day.
One, from Mr Ellis, labelled colleagues “short wogs”; while Mr McInerney labelled federal MP Melissa McIntosh “dumb as dogshit”.
Mr McInerney also admitted he played a factional role and had political ambitions of his own, but denied using schools’ money to fund it.
He was released from the inquiry just before 6pm, but remains bound by his summons.
