A fugitive developer's lawyer approached a prominent state politician in the hopes of getting him to air allegations against a building watchdog in parliament, a corruption inquiry has been told.
Instead, Daniel Mookhey, now the NSW treasurer, referred the allegations against then-building commissioner David Chandler to the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption, to what he said was the lawyer's “obvious” surprise.
Five years later, Sharangan Maheswaran is facing his fifth day of questioning at an inquiry into his dealings with founder of collapsed Sydney company Toplace Jean Nassif.
Nassif is accused of paying NSW Liberal Party operatives for political outcomes benefiting his interests, including tarnishing Mr Chandler.
The inquiry was told Mr Maheswaran approached various MPs, including Mr Mookhey, with allegations Mr Chandler was unfairly targeting Nassif and his developments.
According to Mr Mookhey’s statement to the commission, Mr Maheswaran requested a meeting with him in October 2021, ahead of Mr Chandler’s scheduled appearance at budget estimates.
Mr Maheswaran told Mr Mookhey he had a client, whom he declined to name, whose projects were the subject of a prohibition order made by Mr Chandler and who felt repeatedly harassed and targeted by him.
But when he asked Mr Mookhey to question Mr Chandler over the allegations in parliament, Mr Mookhey told him he would not do so, and instead had a duty to report them to the commission.
“Mr Mookhey explains it was obvious to me that Mr Maheswaran was surprised by my response,” counsel assisting the commissioner Peggy Dwyer said, in reference to the treasurer’s statement.
“He then says: I also recall him apologising a few times for putting me … in this position.”
Mr Mookhey referred the allegations to the commission the next day, the inquiry was told.
Mr Maheswaran also admitted to leaking a video taken of Mr Chandler without his knowledge - where he speaks about an informal list of certifiers he has made that he wants blacklisted from jobs - to the media, as well as to a number of MPs.
However, he denied he was doing it to get Mr Chandler sacked, but because he believed it was a matter of public interest the commissioner planned to force certain builders out of the industry.
“It's an insane proposition that a public servant of … his stature would be essentially doing that,” Mr Maheswaran said.
He was then asked by Dr Dwyer why he did not refer the matter to the commission himself instead of going to the media.
“Because the ICAC generally … takes a very long time to do anything," Mr Maheswaran replied.
“If you want a result, call the (Sydney Morning) Herald. That's my thinking.”
Mr Maheswaran's evidence continues.
