Full Breakdown
ICAC Probe into NSW Liberal Lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood and Developer Jean Nassif
9/9/2026, 4:25:52 PM
Core Event: Alleged $1-million-per-project payments and a missing pink paper
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is examining a claimed arrangement in which property developer Jean Nassif promised up to $5 million to Liberal-aligned lobbyists for fast-tracking Toplace projects. Testimony says the deal would pay $1 million for each of up to five projects that received expedited approval. The only written record of the agreement was a pink-coloured note allegedly kept in a Toplace general-manager’s phone case; the note is now missing. Lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood has denied that a meeting to record the conversation ever occurred and says he “regrettably” failed to retain any documentation.
Background & Context
The investigation centres on the Reformers, a conservative faction formed in 2018 by lobbyists Christian Ellis and Robert Assaf. The group recruited thousands of Christian conservatives into the New South Wales Liberal Party and secured representation on the state executive by 2020. ICAC’s broader inquiry looks at alleged unlawful political donations, branch-stacking, and “sham” arrangements that may have channeled money to the Reformers and their allies.
Timeline
- 2018 – Reformers network launched.
- April 2020 – Alleged agreement signed with Nassif for $1 million per fast-tracked Toplace project.
- June 2021 – Greenwood messages Maheswaran about “killing off” stories critical of Chandler.
- July 2022 – Chandler resigns as building commissioner; Greenwood continues briefing a journalist.
- December 2020 – Ellis texts Greenwood that a $400,000 invoice has been paid.
- September 2026 – ICAC public hearings begin; Greenwood testates; Nassif scheduled to appear via video link from Lebanon.
Official Statements & Responses
- Greenwood told ICAC that a request to “wire for sound” was “just a silly comment” and that no meeting to record a conversation ever took place.
- He acknowledged passing a video of Chandler to a journalist but said he was “just helping a friend,” not being paid to discredit the commissioner.
- Counsel assisting Peggy Dwyer described Greenwood’s account of the pink note as a “recent invention” and highlighted the conflict of interest in using the same solicitor for both parties.
- Nassif, appearing by video link, has not offered a substantive defence but has previously described himself as the Reformers’ “Godfather.”
Criticism & Opposition
- Dwyer questioned the plausibility of Greenwood’s claim that the “wire” request was a joke, suggesting the message indicated pre-planned recording.
- A former Liberal staffer called the revelations “shocking” and labelled Nassif a “contemptible person.”
- Michael O’Hara’s payments were flagged as prohibited political donations, prompting scrutiny of the Reformers’ financing model.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Sources differ on the total amount promised by Nassif: the Guardian cites $2 million, while the Sydney Morning Herald references a potential $5 million payout.
- The existence of the pink-paper record is disputed; Greenwood claims it may have existed but is now lost, whereas Dwyer asserts it was fabricated to explain the arrangement.
- No independent verification of the alleged $1 million-per-project payments has been presented to date.
What’s Next
ICAC has scheduled Jean Nassif to appear via video link from Lebanon later this week. The commission is expected to continue probing the alleged payment structure, the missing pink note, and the broader influence of the Reformers within the NSW Liberal Party.
