Councillor questioned over damaging message

Former Labor councillor Sharangan Maheswaran told Icac on Friday that a message claiming 'We have something that will kill Elliott' was not related to political work for fugitive property developer Jean Nassif.

“'We have something that will kill Elliott'”

The message and its context

Lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood sent Maheswaran a message in February 2020 saying 'We have something that will kill Elliott'. Maheswaran replied that he had something about the Hawke faction that the Sydney Morning Herald would cover.

Investigators suggest coordinated campaign

Icac counsel put it to Maheswaran that the messages showed he shared a common interest with Greenwood's company Beckington in damaging David Elliott's reputation. Maheswaran denied this was related to work for Nassif.

Maheswaran claims factional interest

Maheswaran said he had a common interest with Greenwood regarding the Hawke faction of the Liberal party, but rejected that the messages related to Beckington's work for Nassif.

Elliott opposed Nassif's developments

Icac is investigating whether Liberal figures anticipated $2m in prohibited donations from Nassif in exchange for political outcomes, including damage to Elliott's career. Elliott had opposed Toplace developments.

Conflicting accounts of Elliott's objections

When asked if Nassif told him Elliott objected to Toplace proposals, Maheswaran said this was 'a new invention by Mr Nassif'. Later shown a 2022 draft declaration where he wrote Nassif had spoken to Elliott about his opposition, Maheswaran said Nassif had lied.

Maheswaran's financial ties to Nassif

Maheswaran became an executive at Nassif's company Toplace in September 2020 and was paid $1.4m between 2020 and 2023. He did not disclose being a close associate of a property developer when he nominated for council in 2021, which was required by law.

Broader investigation into conduct

Icac is also investigating whether Maheswaran and fellow Labor councillor Karen Pensabene engaged in conduct toward former mayor Matthew Blackmore involving dishonest exercise of official functions, breach of public trust, and possible blackmail. Pensabene was excused from Friday's hearings for medical reasons.