Current investigations

 

The ICAC only discloses current investigations activity where this is in the public interest. For example, the ICAC may determine that it is in the public interest to hold a public inquiry as part of an investigation.

All public inquiries are advertised, with a public hearing notice published on this site and, when deemed appropriate, in relevant newspapers.

Transcripts of each day’s public inquiry proceeding are published on this website, generally within 24 hours, unless suppression orders are in place.

For transcripts relating to a particular investigation, click on the relevant investigation title and follow the links.

 

List of current investigations which have been made public

Any current ICAC investigations which have been made public, generally through the holding of a public inquiry, are listed below.

 

2018

Corrective Services NSW - allegations concerning officers dishonestly exercising official functions in relation to assault of prisoner (Operation Estry)

The ICAC is investigating allegations that, on or about 19 February 2014, CSNSW officers based at Lithgow Correctional Centre dishonestly exercised their official functions in relation to an assault of a prisoner including by: subjecting the prisoner to the use of force which was unwarranted and inappropriate in the circumstances; colluding to provide a false and misleading account of the reasons for attending the cell occupied by the prisoner and subjecting him to the use of force; submitting, reviewing and approving a “use of force package” (including incident reports) that contained false and misleading information about the reasons for attending the cell occupied by the prisoner and subjecting him to the use of force; failing to record the use of force via video camera, as required by CSNSW policy and procedures; and destroying, or not maintaining, CCTV footage of the area immediately outside the cell occupied by the prisoner.

The Commission is also investigating whether, on 20 February 2014, CSNSW officers at Lithgow Correctional Centre dishonestly exercised their official functions by falsely representing that 0.2 grams of buprenorphine was recovered from the prisoner’s personal belongings during the search of the cell occupied by the prisoner.

Canterbury City Council - allegations concerning former councillors and other public officials (Operation Dasha)

The public inquiry in this matter is now sitting from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

The ICAC is investigating allegations concerning the former Canterbury City Council, including whether, between 2013 and 2016, public officials including former councillors Michael Hawatt and Pierre Azzi, the former general manager, Jim Montague, and the former Director City Planning, Spiro Stavis, dishonestly and/or partially exercised their official functions in relation to planning proposals and/or applications under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 concerning properties in the Canterbury City Council local area.

The ICAC is also investigating the circumstances surrounding the appointment of Mr Stavis to the role of Director City Planning, including whether, between November 2014 and January 2015, Mr Montague exercised his official functions dishonestly or partially in relation to the appointment of Mr Stavis to that role. Further, the Commission is examining whether, between November 2014 and January 2015, councillors Hawatt and Azzi engaged in conduct that, or could have, adversely affected, either directly or indirectly, the honest or impartial exercise of Mr Montague’s official functions by expressly or impliedly threatening to cause the termination of Mr Montague’s employment unless he appointed Mr Stavis as Director City Planning.

Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council - allegations concerning directors of the Board and others (Operation Skyline)

A directions hearing in this matter will be held on Friday 8 Fedruary 2019 at 10:00 am.

The ICAC is investigating allegations concerning the Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC), including whether any public official, being a Awabakal LALC Board director, acted dishonestly and/or in breach of their duty as a Board member in relation to a scheme involving proposals from 2014 to 2016 for the sale and development of properties (“the Sale and Development Scheme”) owned by the land council.

The Commission is also investigating whether any Awabakal LALC Board director acted dishonestly and/or in breach of their duty as a Board member in purporting to retain, or retaining, Knightsbridge North Lawyers or anyone else to act for the land council in respect of the Sale and Development Scheme.

Further, the ICAC is investigating whether any Awabakal LALC Board director: acted dishonestly and/or in breach of their duty as a Board member by participating in, or aiding or assisting any person in relation to, the Sale and Development Scheme including dealings with Sunshine Property Investment Group Pty Ltd, Sunshine Warners Pty Ltd, Solstice Property Corporation Pty Ltd and Advantage Property Experts Syndications Pty Ltd and/or Advantage Property Syndications Ltd; and whether they received any financial or other benefits as a reward or payment for their involvement in, or for their assistance or services rendered in relation to, the Sale and Development Scheme or any connected matter.

The Commission is also examining whether any person or persons encouraged or induced any Awabakal LALC Board director to dishonestly or partially exercise any of their official functions in respect of the Sale and Development Scheme and any other land council property, or otherwise engaged in conduct connected with corrupt conduct within the meaning of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988.

 

Operation Skyline - opening address

Operation Skyline - opening address - documents