The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has announced a major public inquiry into allegations of unlawful political donations and potential corrupt conduct involving members and associates of the NSW Liberal Party, prominent property developer Jean Nassif, and several local councillors.
The investigation, known as Operation Rosny, will begin public hearings in late July 2026 and is expected to run for eight weeks. The inquiry follows referrals made, at least in part, by the NSW Electoral Commission after examining political donation records and electoral funding matters.
ICAC will examine three broad groups of allegations covering the period between 2019 and 2023, when the Liberal Party was in government in New South Wales. The commission has stressed that the hearings are investigative and that the allegations have not been proven.
Among those named are Jean-Claude Perrottet and Charles Perrottet, brothers of former NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, along with Liberal Party figures Christian Ellis, Jeremy Greenwood, Robert Assaf, and property developer Jean Nassif, who remains overseas. ICAC will investigate whether prohibited or undeclared political donations were solicited or accepted to recruit or renew Liberal Party members, and whether donation caps were exceeded.
A second line of inquiry concerns allegations that donations were made by, or on behalf of, Mr Nassif, despite developers being prohibited from making political donations under NSW electoral laws. ICAC will also examine claims that political influence was allegedly sought in exchange for donations, including alleged efforts to remove former NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler and undermine former minister David Elliott.
The inquiry will also investigate separate allegations involving Strathfield councillors Sharangan Maheswaran and Karen Pensabene. These allegations relate to possible breaches of public trust, including claims of improper conduct and alleged blackmail involving fellow councillor Matthew Blackmore.
The investigation follows years of scrutiny surrounding political donations and development approvals in Sydney's north-west, including previous parliamentary inquiries into the relationship between developers and political figures. Earlier inquiries examined allegations concerning Toplace, the development company founded by Jean Nassif, and links to Liberal Party branch activities.
ICAC emphasised that naming individuals in the inquiry does not imply guilt or wrongdoing. The commission's role is to examine the evidence, hear witness testimony and determine whether corrupt conduct occurred or whether any matters should be referred for further action.
The hearings are expected to become one of ICAC's most significant political investigations in recent years, with potential implications for electoral funding practices, political governance and public confidence in New South Wales institutions.
