Public inquiry into corruption allegations concerning City of Canada Bay Mayor and others
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.
The Commission has decided that, until there is a substantial improvement in the COVID-19 situation in NSW, any public inquiries will, as far as practicable, be conducted remotely by audio visual link. Only those whose presence on Commission premises is deemed essential for the effective conduct of the public inquiry will be permitted on-site. Members of the public and the media will therefore not be permitted to attend the premises for the course of the Operation Tolosa public inquiry.
The Commission will live stream the proceedings via its website, www.icac.nsw.gov.au, and will post exhibits (provided they are not subject to non-publication orders), transcripts and witness lists. Updates will also be provided via the ICAC Twitter account (@nswicac).
Chief Commissioner the Hon Peter Hall QC will preside at the public inquiry. Counsel Assisting the Commission will be Jamie Darams of Counsel. It is expected that the public inquiry will continue for four weeks. A witness list for the first week of the inquiry will be published closer to the commencement date of the proceedings, along with further information about how to access the live stream.