Media alert: Public inquiry into alleged corrupt solicitation of funds by public officials starts Monday

Friday 14 February 2014

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption's (ICAC) public inquiry into allegations concerning the solicitation of funds by public officials will commence on Monday 17 February 2014, at 10:00 am.

The public inquiry will be held as part of an investigation the ICAC is conducting into allegations that Joseph Camilleri, former RailCorp general manager, maintenance contracts, and his sister, Carmen Attard, an employee at the Department of Family and Community Services (DFACS), used their positions as public officials to corruptly solicit funds totalling over $1.5 million from other people including public officials and government contractors.

It is alleged that from early 2012, Mr Camilleri requested loans from approximately 50 people who were either RailCorp employees, or were persons directly involved in tenders for RailCorp contracts. These amounts are assessed as exceeding $500,000 from people with commercial relationships with RailCorp, and over $1 million from RailCorp employees. Mr Camilleri gave the money to his daughter. Ms Attard is alleged to have solicited funds exceeding $140,000 from 10 of her colleagues at DFACS for Mr Camilleri's daughter.

The public inquiry will start at 10:00 am and will be held in the Commission's hearing room on Level 7, 133 Castlereagh Street, Sydney. It will run from 17 to 20 February, and then from 25 to 28 February.

Commissioner the Hon Megan Latham will preside at the public inquiry and Counsel Assisting the Commission will be Mr Nicholas Polin.

Time:                           9:30 am – short media briefing
                                   10:00 am – inquiry commences

Date:                         Monday 17 February 2014

Location:                  ICAC Hearing Room
                                   Level 7, 133 Castlereagh Street, Sydney

A short media briefing will be held from 9:30 am on procedural and logistical matters. A witness list for the first week of the public inquiry is attached. Please note that this list is subject to change.

Media contact: ICAC Manager Communications & Media, Nicole Thomas, 02 8281 5799 / 0417 467 801