Liberal operative was offered $1,000 to get media to cover ‘grubby rumour’ minister was having affair, Icac hears

A lawyer acting for a fugitive property developer allegedly offered a Liberal-linked lobbyist $1,000 to push media coverage of an unproven scandal involving a former New South Wales minister, including claims of an extramarital affair and alleged breaches of COVID-19 rules. The anti-corruption watchdog heard the lawyer dismissed the proposal as "not a serious offer," despite insisting in a separate message that he was "not joking." The case raises questions about efforts to manipulate public perception through media influence, with the watchdog examining the exchange as part of its investigation.

Sharangan Maheswaran says his bid for story on unsubstantiated rumour about then-Liberal minister David Elliott was ‘not a serious offer’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA lawyer for fugitive property developer Jean Nassif offered a Liberal operative $1,000 if he could get media to write about an unsubstantiated extramarital affair and breach of Covid-19 restrictions by a New South Wales minister, the anti-corruption watchdog has heard.Sharangan Maheswaran told the Independent Commission Against Corruption a message to lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood about placing a story about former Liberal minister David Elliott, was “not a serious offer”. He was shown a message to Greenwood in which he wrote he was “not joking”. Continue reading...