MEDIA ALERT: Operation Vika week 1 witness list now available

Monday 1 June 2015

Media are advised that the witness list for the first week of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Operation Vika public inquiry into allegations concerning corrupt payments related to the supply of catering and other products to the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) is now available on the Commission's website.

The first witness expected to give evidence in the public inquiry tomorrow (Tuesday 2 June 2015) will be Scott Homsey, followed by his mother, Gay Homsey (please note that witness lists are subject to change. The current witness list is attached). The public inquiry will examine whether between 2009 and 2015, payments made by the RFS to catering companies controlled by Mr Homsey were induced by representations made by RFS employees Arthur John Hacking and Paul Springett, RFS volunteer Darren Hacking, and Mr Homsey, which they knew to be false or misleading, or by those persons concealing facts from the RFS that they had a duty to disclose.

The Commission will examine whether Mr Homsey and Gay Homsey engaged in corrupt conduct by providing Arthur John Hacking and Mr Springett with a financial benefit, or other benefits or gifts, as a reward for their role in facilitating the RFS payments to Mr Homsey's companies.

The Commission is also examining whether Arthur John Hacking and Mr Springett engaged in corrupt conduct by receiving a financial benefit, or other benefits or gifts, from Mr Homsey as a reward for their role in facilitating the RFS payments to Mr Homsey's companies.

It will also examine whether Arthur Hacking engaged in corrupt conduct by taking property belonging to the RFS, including mobile telephones and other electronic devices, without authority.

ICAC Assistant Commissioner Theresa Hamilton will preside at the public inquiry, and Counsel Assisting the Commission will be Mr Ben Katekar. The inquiry is set down for five- to- seven days. A short media briefing will be held from 9:30 am on procedural and logistical matters.

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

Date:             Tuesday 2 June 2015

Location:      ICAC Hearing Room
                       Level 7, 255 Elizabeth Street, Sydney

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