Operation Tolosa public notice

Wednesday 6 April 2022

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) will hold a public inquiry starting Tuesday 26 April 2022 as part of an investigation it is conducting concerning the conduct of City of Canada Bay Mayor, Councillor Angelo Tsirekas, and others (Operation Tolosa).

The Commission is investigating an allegation that, since 2012, Councillor Tsirekas has partially exercised his official functions to favour the interests of Billbergia Pty Ltd, Prolet Constructions 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 2011, 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 that it had amended this allegation to be since 2015, rather than 2011.

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.

The general scope and purpose of the public inquiry is to gather evidence relevant to the matters being investigated for the purpose of determining the matters referred to in section 13(2) of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988.

Please note that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in the interests of public health and safety, the ICAC premises will not be open for public attendance. The proceedings will be live streamed via the Commission’s website at www.icac.nsw.gov.au.

Persons claiming to be substantially and directly interested in this matter may seek leave to be represented at the inquiry, and are invited to contact Catherine Colquhoun no later than 4:00 pm on Wednesday 20 April 2022 via email at ccolquhoun@icac.nsw.gov.au to advise of their interest.

Members of the public with information relevant to the investigation are encouraged to provide it in writing at GPO Box 500, Sydney, NSW 2001, or by email to icac@icac.nsw.gov.au.

The ICAC will treat all information confidentially and has legislative powers to protect people who provide information to the Commission.

Roy Waldon
Solicitor to the Commission