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Operation Yancey public notice

Friday 12 June 2015

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is conducting an investigation into corruption allegations concerning the abuse of procurement processes by a Department of Justice Asset Management Branch senior officer in awarding contracts to refurbish NSW courthouses in 2013 (Operation Yancey).

The investigation is examining allegations that:

  • Anthony Andjic, deputy director capital works in the Assets Management Branch, corruptly engaged Saff Projects Pty Ltd and the Triton Group Pty Ltd, companies owned by Shadi Chacra, as project managers and builders for upgrades to courthouses in NSW. It is alleged that Mr Andjic often ensured that Mr Chacra's companies were paid for works which were never actually completed or commenced, resulting in Mr Chacra receiving more than $1.3 million from the Department of Justice
  • Mr Andjic co-opted a junior officer, Fatima Hammoud, to act contrary to the interests of the Department of Justice in managing court upgrade projects that Mr Andjic is alleged to have corruptly awarded to Saff and Triton. Mr Andjic and Ms Hammoud, whose sister is married to Mr Chacra, are alleged to have received benefits in return for favouring those companies
  • once they became aware of a Department of Justice investigation into their conduct, Mr Andjic and Ms Hammoud deleted or destroyed pertinent departmental records pertaining to the engagement of Triton and Saff
  • Mr Andjic used his position as convenor during the recruitment for a project officer position to attempt to award the job to Ms Hammoud, although she did not hold the necessary qualifications and experience, and without declaring that he knew Ms Hammoud personally. Mr Andjic and Ms Hammoud are now married.

As part of its investigation, the ICAC will hold a public inquiry starting at 10:00 am on Monday 22 June 2015 at Level 7, 255 Elizabeth Street, Sydney.

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 Mr Scott Collins on (02) 8281-5999 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 facsimile (02) 9264-5364. 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