From the Guardian · · 3m
Private eye surveilled minister for property developer
A private investigator told a corruption inquiry he was hired to spy on a Liberal MP and supplied recording devices to a fugitive developer.
In brief
A private investigator told a corruption inquiry he was hired to spy on a Liberal MP and supplied recording devices to a fugitive developer. Private investigator Shane de Kauwe told Icac he surveilled Liberal MP David Elliott and provided covert recording devices to property developer Jean Nassif on instructions from…
Private eye admits surveilling minister
Shane de Kauwe told Icac on Tuesday he was asked to surveil former NSW Liberal MP David Elliott and provided secret recording devices to property developer Jean Nassif.
Who hired the investigator
De Kauwe said he took instructions from Toplace lawyer and executive Sharangan Maheswaran, who he understood to be negatively disposed to Elliott. He said Maheswaran did not like the MP.
“"He didn't like him," said De Kauwe.”
The alleged target of surveillance
De Kauwe was asked to investigate an unsubstantiated allegation that Elliott had breached Covid restrictions in 2020 and to identify a woman he was alleged to have met with.
The surveillance attempt
De Kauwe surveilled Elliott at an Anzac Day parade when Elliott was veterans minister, but found nothing. He said Elliott appeared to be doing his job and they lost him.
“"He went to the Anzac parade, appeared to me to be doing his job, and we lost him," said De Kauwe.”
Installing a hidden camera
De Kauwe used a ladder to install a static camera in 2022 on an apartment building opposite a car park to capture a woman's car, invoicing Toplace fifteen thousand dollars.
No authority to install camera
When asked by presiding commissioner Fabian Gleeson if he had authority to install the static camera, de Kauwe acknowledged he did not. He said correct, yes.
Recording devices supplied
De Kauwe said he provided covert recording devices to Maheswaran, Nassif and Jeremy Greenwood. The two or three devices included voice recorder pens and a small square device resembling a key tag.
Why Nassif got a second device
De Kauwe gave Nassif a second recording device because he could not work the first one. Nassif wanted to record a conversation with two men allegedly asking for five million dollars on David Chandler's behalf.
The broader Icac investigation
Icac is investigating allegations that Liberal figures Christian Ellis, Jeremy Greenwood and Charles Perrottet took two million dollars in illegal donations from Nassif or his company Toplace in exchange for political outcomes.
Alleged political outcomes
The alleged outcomes include damage to Elliott's political career because he opposed Toplace developments, and removal of former building commissioner David Chandler, who was scrutinising defects in Toplace apartments.
Surveillance of Strathfield councillor
De Kauwe also surveilled Strathfield councillor Matthew Blackmore in 2021 and 2022 on Maheswaran's instructions. He invoiced Toplace one hundred thirty-four thousand dollars for surveillance between November 2022 and January 2023.
Concerns about legality
De Kauwe later worried the recordings made of Blackmore were illegal. He said he was getting advice from another solicitor that it might be a problem, and this was on his mind a lot.
Maheswaran to continue evidence
Sharangan Maheswaran, who has denied any wrongdoing, is expected to continue giving evidence to Icac later this week. He is the final scheduled witness across nine weeks of public hearings.
The short version
Private investigator Shane de Kauwe told Icac he surveilled Liberal MP David Elliott and provided covert recording devices to property developer Jean Nassif on instructions from Toplace lawyer Sharangan Maheswaran.
