Former Labor Councillor Admits to Surveilling Strathfield Mayor
Sharangan Maheswaran admitted to hiring a private investigator to surveil former Strathfield mayor Matthew Blackmore as part of an anti-corruption probe.
Former Labor councillor Sharangan Maheswaran testified before the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) regarding the illegal surveillance of former Strathfield mayor Matthew Blackmore. Maheswaran admitted to hiring private investigator Shane De Kauwe in 2022 to capture audio recordings and photographs of Blackmore after the mayor allegedly reneged on a deal to resign.
Evidence presented during Operation Rosny showed that Maheswaran invoiced $134,000 for the surveillance to Toplace, a business owned by fugitive developer Jean Nassif. Messages revealed that Maheswaran and councillor Karen Pensabene joked about the operation using lyrics from the song 'Every Breath You Take' and used tarot cards to discuss forcing Blackmore from office.
Icac is currently investigating whether Maheswaran and Pensabene engaged in blackmail and breached the Surveillance Devices Act. While Maheswaran has denied any wrongdoing, the commission noted that Blackmore is not accused of any misconduct.
