City of Canada Bay Council – allegations concerning the Mayor and others (Operation Tolosa)

Year: 2022 Status: Current

The public inquiry in this matter is complete. See below for transcripts, exhibits and other information.

The ICAC is investigating an allegation that, since 2012, City of Canada Bay Mayor Councillor Angelo Tsirekas has partially exercised his official functions to favour the interests of Billbergia Pty Ltd, Prolet Pty Ltd and Joseph Chidiac, in relation to planning matters affecting those companies and deliberately failed to declare or properly manage any conflict of interest arising from his relationships with representatives of Billbergia Pty Ltd, Prolet Constructions Pty Ltd and Mr Chidiac.

It is also alleged that, since 2015, Councillor Tsirekas has partially exercised his official functions to favour the interests of Frank Bruzzano in relation to the development application for 168-172 Victoria Road, Drummoyne, and deliberately failed to declare or properly manage any conflict of interest arising from his relationship with Mr Bruzzano.

It is also alleged that, since 2015, Councillor Tsirekas sought, and/or accepted benefits, as an inducement or reward for partially and dishonestly exercising his official functions to favour the interests of I-Prosperity Group and Mr Chidiac, in relation to planning matters affecting 1-9 Marquet Street and 4 Mary Street, Rhodes. Councillor Tsirekas is also alleged to have deliberately failed to declare or properly manage any conflict of interest arising from his relationships with representatives of I-Prosperity Group and Mr Chidiac. Since 2015, I-Prosperity Group and Mr Chidiac have allegedly provided benefits, including overseas flights and accommodation, to Councillor Tsirekas, as a reward or inducement to favour their interests in relation to Council decisions regarding planning matters affecting 1-9 Marquet Street and 4 Mary Street, Rhodes.

Further, since 2015, Councillor Tsirekas is alleged to have partially and dishonestly exercised his official functions and failed to disclose the nature of his relationship with Francesco Colacicco, in relation to the sale of Council property at 231 Victoria Road, Drummoyne, and development applications/planning proposals associated with Mr Colacicco, in return for a financial benefit.

On 20 April 2022, the Commission announced a further allegation that, between May 2015 and January 2018, Gary Sawyer, former General Manager of the City of Canada Bay Council, partially and dishonestly exercised his official functions and failed to disclose the nature of his relationship with Mr Colacicco, in relation to the sale of Council property at 231 Victoria Road, Drummoyne, and the associated development application.

View the Operation Tolosa submissions timetable

Download the list of legal representatives granted leave to appear (PDF)

Download the Operation Tolosa opening statement (PDF)

Download the Operation Tolosa opening statement slides (PDF)

Download the public inquiry Covid-19 protocol (PDF)

Download the Operation Tolosa media guidelines (PDF)
Media Releases
Witness Transcripts

View all public inquiry transcripts associated with this investigation. The Commission will endeavour to make transcripts available as soon as practicable. It cannot advise specific times for when transcripts will be published, due to factors including checking procedures to ensure compliance with any non-publication orders made under the ICAC Act. Users are also reminded that they may follow the proceedings in real time if a public inquiry is being live streamed.

Transcripts will be available once the inquiry has commenced.

Filename Date pp. Time
04-07-2022 transcript 04/07/22 2703-2789 9.30am to 12.59pm
21-06-2022 transcript 21/06/22 2622-2702 2.24pm to 5.32pm
21-06-2022 transcript 21/06/22 2519-2572 9.30am to 11.32am
20-06-2022 transcript 20/06/22 2470-2518 2.00pm to 3.57pm
20-06-2022 transcript 20/06/22 2403-2469 10.00am to 1.00pm
17-06-2022 transcript 17/06/22 2346-2402 2.00pm to 4.02pm
17-06-2022 transcript 17/06/22 2303-2345 10.30am to 1.03pm
16-06-2022 transcript 16/06/22 2256-2302 2.00pm to 4.02pm
16-06-2022 transcript 16/06/22 2210-2255 10.30am to 1.00pm
10-06-2022 transcript 10/06/22 2157-2209 2.00pm to 4.04pm
10-06-2022 transcript 10/06/22 2099-2156 10.00am to 12.59pm
06-06-2022 transcript 06/06/22 2063-2098 2.00pm to 3.30pm
06-06-2022 transcript 06/06/22 1994-2062 9.30am to 12.54pm
02-06-2022 transcript 02/06/22 1938-1993 2.00pm to 4.04pm
02-06-2022 transcript 02/06/22 1883-1937 9.30am to 12.05pm
01-06-2022 transcript 01/06/22 1837-1882 2.00pm to 4.02pm
01-06-2022 transcript 01/06/22 1776-1836 10.00am to 12.59pm
31-05-2022 transcript 31/05/22 1727-1775 2.00pm to 4.00pm
31-05-2022 transcript 31/05/22 1665-1726 10.00am to 1.00pm
25-05-2022 transcript 25/05/22 1621-1664 2.00pm to 3.39pm
25-05-2022 transcript 25/05/22 1575-1620 10.00am to 12.55pm
23-05-2022 transcript 23/05/22 1532-1574 2.00pm to 3.50pm
23-05-2022 transcript 23/05/22 1481-1531 10.00am to 12.48pm
20-05-2022 transcript 20/05/22 1427-1480 2.00pm to 3.59pm
20-05-2022 transcript 20/05/22 1377-1426 11.00am to 12.59pm
19-05-2022 transcript 19/05/22 1361-1376 2.00pm to 3.46pm
19-05-2022 transcript 19/05/22 1332-1360 11.30am to 12.56pm
18-05-2022 transcript 18/05/22 1287-1331 2.00pm to 4.03pm
18-05-2022 transcript 18/05/22 1228-1286 10.00am to 12.57pm
17-05-2022 transcript 17/05/22 1179-1227 2.00pm to 3.53pm
17-05-2022 transcript 17/05/22 1121-1178 10.00am to 1.00pm
16-05-2022 transcript 16/05/22 1083-1120 2.00pm to 3.43pm
16-05-2022 transcript 16/05/22 1025-1082 10.00am to 1.00pm
12-05-2022 transcript 12/05/22 1022-1024 10.30am to 12.16pm
11-05-2022 transcript 11/05/22 0973-1021 2.00pm to 4.03pm
11-05-2022 transcript 11/05/22 0897-0972 10.00am to 12.59pm
10-05-2022 transcript 10/05/22 0884-0896 3.30pm to 4.00pm
10-05-2022 transcript 10/05/22 0783-0820 10.00am to 12.19pm
09-05-2022 transcript 09/05/22 0734-0782 2.00pm to 4.01pm
09-05-2022 transcript 09/05/22 0684-0733 10.00am to 12.56pm
06-05-2022 transcript 06/05/22 0661-0683 2.00pm to 3.00pm
06-05-2022 transcript 06/05/22 0613-0660 11.00am to 12.59pm
05-05-2022 transcript 05/05/22 0611-0612 10.00am to 11.36am
04-05-2022 transcript 04/05/22 0556-0610 2.00pm to 3.59pm
04-05-2022 transcript 04/05/22 0501-0555 10.00am to 1.01pm
03-05-2022 transcript 03/05/22 0462-0500 2.00pm to 3.52pm
03-05-2022 transcript 03/05/22 0411-0461 10.00am to 1.01pm
02-05-2022 transcript 02/05/22 0372-0410 2.00pm to 3.55pm
29-04-2022 transcript 29/04/22 0335-0371 2.00pm to 4.05pm
29-04-2022 transcript 29/04/22 0282-0334 10.00am to 1.01pm
28-04-2022 transcript 28/04/22 0231-0281 2.00pm to 4.04pm
28-04-2022 transcript 28/04/22 0184-0230 10.00am to 1.07pm
27-04-2022 transcript 27/04/22 0146-0183 2.00pm to 4.04pm
27-04-2022 transcript 27/04/22 0087-0145 10.00am to 1.03pm
26-04-2022 transcript 26/04/22 0060-0086 2.00pm to 3.05pm
26-04-2022 transcript 26/04/22 0001-0059 10.00am to 1.08pm
Exhibits
Public notices