Former Councillor Admits Receiving $1.4 Million From Property Developer

Former Strathfield councillor Sharangan Maheswaran testified during the first day of Operation Rosny, a corruption inquiry conducted by the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption. Maheswaran admitted he received approximately $1.4 million from property developer Jean Nassif and his company, Toplace, between July 2020 and March 2023. He acknowledged failing to declare this association on his 2021 nomination form, despite receiving over $660,000 while serving as a councillor.

The inquiry is investigating whether Liberal figures, including lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood and Charles Perrottet, expected $2 million in prohibited donations from Nassif in exchange for political outcomes. Maheswaran alleged that Nassif lied to the commission regarding former NSW Liberal minister David Elliott's opposition to Toplace developments. Evidence presented included a 2021 shakedown meeting where Maheswaran allegedly claimed an email existed requesting $5 million to lift orders on Nassif's developments.

Maheswaran further alleged that Perrottet expected payment through a contract between Toplace and the firm Beckington. During the proceedings, Assistant Commissioner Fabian Gleeson intervened to urge Maheswaran to provide direct answers to questioning. The commission is also examining whether Maheswaran and fellow councillor Karen Pensabene engaged in dishonest conduct or blackmail toward former mayor Matthew Blackmore.