Current investigations

The ICAC is investigating whether, since January 2009, staff from Sydney Night Patrol & Inquiry Co (SNP Security) and/or its subcontractor, S International Group Pty Ltd (SIG), have dishonestly obtained a financial benefit from the University of Sydney while providing contracted security services to the University by creating false entries on daily time sheets and submitting these for payment to the University.

The ICAC is also investigating whether any University of Sydney employee dishonestly obtained a financial benefit from, or acted partially in, exercising their public official functions for the benefit of SNP Security and/or SIG and/or any of their employees.

The Commission is also examining whether SNP Security, SIG and/or any of their employees engaged in conduct that, or could have, adversely affected the exercise of official functions by the University and/or any of its employees, and which could have involved bribery and/or fraud.

Further, the ICAC is examining whether any employee of the University, SNP Security and/or SIG engaged in conduct that impaired, or could impair, public confidence in public administration because it involved dishonestly obtaining, assisting in obtaining or dishonestly benefiting from, the payment or application of public funds for private advantage.

Operation Gerda opening address

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.

The public inquiry in this matter is adjourned to Monday 1 April 2019 at 10:00 am.

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.

The proceedings in this matter are stood over to 18 March 2019.

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