A witness on the run

Fugitive property developer Jean Nassif, 58, dialled into the NSW corruption watchdog from his bedroom in Beirut. He told the inquiry flatly that he is not corrupt.

“I'm not corrupt.”

What Icac is chasing

The inquiry is examining whether NSW Liberal figures expected $2m in prohibited donations from Nassif in exchange for political outcomes, including damaging a minister's career.

Two names in the frame

The political outcomes allegedly on the table: harm to former Liberal minister David Elliott's career, and the removal of then building commissioner David Chandler.

Why he left Australia

Counsel assisting Peggy Dwyer SC asked if he fled to dodge a parliamentary inquiry in December 2022. Nassif said he went to collect an international award, then stayed after threats.

“I'm not gonna go back to Australia to be killed by mafia boys.”

The Hague threat

Nassif said he would assemble a legal team and sue the NSW government at the international court, returning to Australia only once that case clears his name.

“I'll be back in Australia.”

His daughter's guilty plea

Ashlyn Nassif, 32, got a six month community corrections order for false information used to get a $150m Westpac loan. Her lawyers cited pressure from her father. He says she was forced to plead.

“My daughter has been forced to plead guilty so she can finish that case.”

Told to take a breath

Waving handwritten notes at the camera, Nassif swore at Dwyer and threatened to pull out. Assistant commissioner Fabian Gleeson SC told him the hearing was not a forum for his complaints.

“There is no one [who] can make me shut up.”