Full Breakdown
ICAC Hearing Highlights Alleged $2 Million Bribe Linked to Vaping Advice
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) heard testimony from Liberal Party operative Jeremy Greenwood, who runs the lobby firms Beckington and JPG Advisory. Greenwood told the commission that paying Anita Perrottet—wife of former NSW minister Charles Perrottet—to provide a “mum’s perspective” on deterring children from vaping was unrelated to the ages of her children, who were two and three at the time. The commission has described Greenwood’s evidence as “ridiculous” and is probing whether the payments were a façade for laundering $2 million supplied by developer Jean Nassif.
Background & Context
Developers are prohibited from making political donations in New South Wales. Jean Nassif, whose development company Toplace has faced stalled projects, allegedly provided the funds that were funneled through Beckington and used, in part, to pay Anita Perrottet $660,000 over two years for “strategic advice.” The ICAC is also examining whether portions of the money financed Liberal Party recruitment and branch-stacking.
Financial Details
- Anita Perrottet received $660,000 for strategic advice over a two-year period.
- Macquarie Consulting invoiced $82,120 (plus GST) for “project consulting fees.”
- The total sum alleged to have been washed through Greenwood’s firms is $2 million, purportedly intended for Charles Perrottet’s work for Nassif.
Official Statements & Responses
Counsel assisting Dr Peggy Dwyer, SC, questioned the relevance of the children’s ages and called Greenwood’s testimony “ridiculous.” Jean Nassif, speaking from Beirut, denied involvement in any corrupt activity, stating he only sought assistance with stalled projects.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I don’t think it’s of relevance.” — Dwyer
- “Did she give you a mum’s perspective on deterring under-fives from vaping?” — Dwyer
- “I was not involved with paying politics to get my projects approved,” — Jean Nassif
The ICAC continues to investigate the alleged money-laundering scheme and its connections to political outcomes in NSW.