Latest news with #SajishErasery
ABC News
28-07-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Western Sydney Airport official who sought $200k kickback narrowly avoids jail time
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has claimed its first scalp with the sentencing of a corrupt Western Sydney Airport official who asked for a $200,000 kickback. Sajish Erasery pleaded guilty to soliciting a corrupt commission after he attempted to invite a bribe from a company vying for a $5 million contract to provide automated parking systems at the soon-to-be completed airport. The anti-corruption watchdog found the former executive procurement manager had initially proposed he could "get the deal over the line" if he received $250,000, which equated to 5 per cent of the contract's value. The NACC said in a statement Erasery later reduced this figure to $200,000 and suggested a scheme to repay the business by inflating invoices. The Australian Federal Police arrested the man in March 2024 after his former employer referred the matter to the commission. He has been sentenced to two years' jail, which will be served in the community and require him to complete 500 hours of community service. The airport is due to be complete in 2026. Erasery is the first person to be sentenced following an investigation initiated by the NACC. Since the watchdog's inception, there have been convictions in nine other cases which were inherited from the former Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity in July 2023. The latest of those cases involved Anne McCann, a former Department of Home Affairs immigration officer, who abused power in public office by approving a visa application for her brother-in-law. Both matters were prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
News.com.au
28-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Get it over the line': Western Sydney ex-manager sentenced over bride attempt for $5m parking contract
A former executive manager at Western Sydney Airport has avoided jail after attempting to solicit a bribe during bidding for a $5m parking system contract. Sajish Erasery was sentenced at the Downing Centre District Court on Friday after pleading guilty to soliciting a corrupt commission contrary to section 249B. The former executive procurement manager will serve a two-year prison sentence in the community as well as undertake 500 hours of community service. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) said Erasery attempted to solicit the bribe from a company bidding to provide an automated parking system at the future airport. In a statement, the corruption watchdog said Erasery had initially suggested he could 'get the deal over the line' if he received a payment of 5 per cent of the contract. Erasery later reduced the amount to $200,000 – of the $5m contract – and proposed a scheme to repay the company through inflated invoices, according to the NACC. The matter was referred to the NACC and the Australian Federal Police in March 2024 and within just 10 days they had enough evidence to lay charges against Erasery. It is the first case to result in sentencing from an investigation initiated by the corruption watchdog, which was established by the federal government in July 2023. In its statement, the NACC thanked the Western Sydney Airport for their co-operation and 'proactive actions … in referring the matter'.
