Latest news with #EddieObeid
The Age
a day ago
- Politics
- The Age
ICAC's big day out: Former mayor charged over misleading evidence
Say what you like about the Independent Commission Against Corruption – it works too quickly/too slowly, it's too secretive/too public, it's a kangaroo court/a bastion of our democracy – the one thing you can't accuse our state's top corruption warriors of is lying low. On Wednesday, the ICAC played a central role in Sydney's news cycle. The commission's big day in the spotlight started early: just after 7am, Eddie Obeid – the corrupt former Labor MP who was brought down after an extensive ICAC investigation found him guilty of misconduct in public office – plodded out of jail. Hours after he walked free, another ICAC victim was heading inside: Daryl Maguire, that bad boy regional MP whose relationship with former premier Gladys Berejiklian was revealed when the commission played tapped phone calls between the pair, was sentenced to 10 months in prison for misleading a corruption inquiry. He was swiftly released on bail. But the agency's sting doesn't stop there: CBD now brings you news that Bill Saravinovski, the former mayor of Bayside Council in Sydney's south, has been hit with three charges of giving misleading evidence to the commission. The ICAC quietly uploaded a document to its website late last week that provides some detail on Operation Aspen: it investigated allegations Saravinovski and others 'inappropriately or partially shared or disclosed confidential information to property developers' and that he supported an unsolicited development proposal from a property developer. It was decided, according to the document, to refer the matter to the Office of Local Government. A court found him guilty of misconduct after he berated council staff over the development of a car park where he failed to correctly declare a conflict of interest. While that occurred, the Director of Public Prosecutions was considering a request from the agency about whether there was sufficient evidence to charge him with three offences for giving misleading information during the investigation. Last week the DPP acted, laying three charges that are yet to be tested in court – he'll visit the Downing Centre late next month.
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
ICAC's big day out: Former mayor charged over misleading evidence
Say what you like about the Independent Commission Against Corruption – it works too quickly/too slowly, it's too secretive/too public, it's a kangaroo court/a bastion of our democracy – the one thing you can't accuse our state's top corruption warriors of is lying low. On Wednesday, the ICAC played a central role in Sydney's news cycle. The commission's big day in the spotlight started early: just after 7am, Eddie Obeid – the corrupt former Labor MP who was brought down after an extensive ICAC investigation found him guilty of misconduct in public office – plodded out of jail. Hours after he walked free, another ICAC victim was heading inside: Daryl Maguire, that bad boy regional MP whose relationship with former premier Gladys Berejiklian was revealed when the commission played tapped phone calls between the pair, was sentenced to 10 months in prison for misleading a corruption inquiry. He was swiftly released on bail. But the agency's sting doesn't stop there: CBD now brings you news that Bill Saravinovski, the former mayor of Bayside Council in Sydney's south, has been hit with three charges of giving misleading evidence to the commission. The ICAC quietly uploaded a document to its website late last week that provides some detail on Operation Aspen: it investigated allegations Saravinovski and others 'inappropriately or partially shared or disclosed confidential information to property developers' and that he supported an unsolicited development proposal from a property developer. It was decided, according to the document, to refer the matter to the Office of Local Government. A court found him guilty of misconduct after he berated council staff over the development of a car park where he failed to correctly declare a conflict of interest. While that occurred, the Director of Public Prosecutions was considering a request from the agency about whether there was sufficient evidence to charge him with three offences for giving misleading information during the investigation. Last week the DPP acted, laying three charges that are yet to be tested in court – he'll visit the Downing Centre late next month.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Corrupt former Labor MP Eddie Obeid leaves prison on parole
Disgraced former Labor MP Eddie Obeid has walked free from jail on parole after he was found guilty misconduct while in public office. Obeid was pictured being escorted from jail under a white umbrella on Wednesday morning, after almost four years behind bars. He will spend the remainder of his seven-year sentence in the community under supervision. Obeid was once considered a major powerbroker with in the NSW Labor Party, but was expelled in 2013. He was the subject of multiple ICAC hearings between 2012 and 2014, and was charged over misconduct in 2013. Obeid pleaded not guilty but was twice convicted by a jury, including a separate set of charges relating to a mining lease over the Obeid's family farm in Bylong. One of his sons, Moses, and former minister Ian Macdonald were also charged over the lease and found guilty.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Eddie Obeid released from prison, soon to be back in court
Corrupt former Labor minister Eddie Obeid has been released from jail after serving his sentence of three years and 10 months for misconduct in public office in relation to the grant of a coal exploration licence, which delivered a $30 million windfall to his family. The 81-year-old left the aged care facility at Long Bay Correctional Complex just after 7am on Wednesday. Carrying plastic bags of his belongings, Obeid made a short walk to a waiting four-wheeled drive with heavily tinted windows and drove away from the eastern suburbs prison. Also sentenced at the same time for their roles in conspiring to commit misconduct in public office were Obeid's son, Moses, and Obeid's former Labor colleague, Ian Macdonald. Moses Obeid, 56, was released from jail last October but then had to serve a period of home detention for a separate charge of lying to the Independent Commission Against Corruption. That case related to the provision of a discount Honda to the then roads minister Eric Roozendaal, who was not accused of any wrongdoing. Macdonald, 76, is not eligible for parole until January 2027. Obeid Snr, once a key powerbroker within the Labor Party, featured in seven corruption inquiries ranging from cafes, coal, health care and water licences. His first, in 2002, was prompted by a Herald investigation which revealed the then fisheries minister had attempted to solicit a $1 million donation to the ALP in order to remove planning roadblocks hampering the development of the contentious Oasis project in Liverpool.
The Age
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Age
Eddie Obeid released from prison, soon to be back in court
Corrupt former Labor minister Eddie Obeid has been released from jail after serving his sentence of three years and 10 months for misconduct in public office in relation to the grant of a coal exploration licence, which delivered a $30 million windfall to his family. The 81-year-old left the aged care facility at Long Bay Correctional Complex just after 7am on Wednesday. Carrying plastic bags of his belongings, Obeid made a short walk to a waiting four-wheeled drive with heavily tinted windows and drove away from the eastern suburbs prison. Also sentenced at the same time for their roles in conspiring to commit misconduct in public office were Obeid's son, Moses, and Obeid's former Labor colleague, Ian Macdonald. Moses Obeid, 56, was released from jail last October but then had to serve a period of home detention for a separate charge of lying to the Independent Commission Against Corruption. That case related to the provision of a discount Honda to the then roads minister Eric Roozendaal, who was not accused of any wrongdoing. Macdonald, 76, is not eligible for parole until January 2027. Obeid Snr, once a key powerbroker within the Labor Party, featured in seven corruption inquiries ranging from cafes, coal, health care and water licences. His first, in 2002, was prompted by a Herald investigation which revealed the then fisheries minister had attempted to solicit a $1 million donation to the ALP in order to remove planning roadblocks hampering the development of the contentious Oasis project in Liverpool.
