Ex-premier Dominic Perrottet’s fugitive brother named in NSW political donations probe
The brother of a former premier and a fugitive property developer will be probed by the state’s anti-corruption commission.
The brother of former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet and fugitive property developer Jean Nassif will be investigated by the state’s anti-corruption commission as part of a bombshell inqury into possible election funding offences.
The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption announced on Wednesday it would begin hearings in July into allegations involving people associated with the NSW Liberal Party, the CEO of Catholic Schools NSW, Toplace executive Jean Nassif, a prominent hotelier, and a number of Strathfield councillors.
The Commission will look into allegations that a number of people, including Mr Perrottet’s brother Jean-Claude Perrottet, “solicited or accepted political donations, including from prohibited donors, in amounts that were not declared and exceeded applicable donation caps”.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.None of the people mentioned are accused of wrongdoing, and ICAC will be investigating the allegations.
It is alleged the donations were for purposes that included the recruitment and/or renewal of members to the Liberal Party.
Political donations, in amounts that were either not declared or exceeded donation caps, were also allegedly made by Catholic Schools NSW – approved by chief executive Dallas McInerney – and by Paslibdan Pty Ltd, on behalf of prohibited donor Michael O’Hara.
“Various persons entered into or carried out schemes for purposes that included circumventing the prohibitions or requirements” of electoral funding laws, it is alleged, according to a statement by ICAC.
A second set of allegations stem from political donations made by, or on behalf of, Mr Nassif and his defunct developer Toplace.
It is alleged the donations, being from a prohibited donor, were solicited or accepted by Christian Ellis, Jeremy Greenwood, and Charles Perrottet, another brother of the former premier.
In its statement, ICAC said it would probe whether the donations were “in exchange for the pursuit of outcomes sought by Mr Nassif, including damage to the political career of David Elliott MP and the removal of the Building Commissioner, David Chandler OAM, from public office and/or preventing him from exercising his official functions in respect of Mr Nassif’s developments.”
The Commission will probe whether the alleged pursuit of such outcomes constitutes corrupt conduct.
Jean Nassif is currently living in Lebanon and has previously denied any wrongdoing.
A warrant was issued for Mr Nassif’s arrest in 2023 over alleged fraudulent sales contracts made to access a $150m loan for the construction of three buildings in Toplace’s Skyview development at Castle Hill.
Last week, Ms Nassif’s daughter, Ashlyn Nassif, pleaded guilty to providing false or misleading information to obtain the loan from Westpac for that project.
She will be sentenced on September 7.
A third allegation expected to be probed by ICAC involves claims two Strathfield councillors – Sharangan Maheswaran and Karen Pensabene – engaged in conduct that breached public trust, including potential blackmail of another councillor, Matthew Blackmore.
ICAC Assistant Commissioner Fabian Gleeson SC will oversee the public inquiry.
The probe – named Operation Rosny – stems from allegations in NSW parliament by Liberal MP Ray Williams against unnamed senior Liberals.
Originally published as Ex-premier’s brother, fugitive brother named in NSW political donations probe
