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Exonerated high-profile ICAC witnesses want formal apology for being ‘named and shamed’

The man whose bottle of wine brought down a premier is among a host of high-profile ICAC witnesses demanding the corruption watchdog apologise to those it ‘named and shamed’ but who were later exonerated. READ THE FULL LIST OF SUBMISSIONS.

Barry O'Farrell resigns

The man whose bottle of wine brought down a Liberal premier is among a host of high-profile ICAC witnesses demanding the corruption watchdog apologise to those it “named and shamed” but who were later exonerated.

Nicholas di Girolamo, whose role in the ­company Australian Water Holdings, the Wests Tigers and a coal mining deal was ­examined as part of Operation Credo, was cleared of any wrongdoing.

Nicholas Di Girolamo was called a ‘shyster’ during the ICAC hearing.
Nicholas Di Girolamo was called a ‘shyster’ during the ICAC hearing.
Barry O’Farrell resigned as premier after failing to declare a gift of wine.
Barry O’Farrell resigned as premier after failing to declare a gift of wine.

However, he was labelled a “shyster” by then counsel ­assisting Geoffrey Watson SC, told “suicide was an option” by a bystander as he walked to the ICAC hearing room during the inquiry, and was shunned by friends and business associates.

The lawyer, whose gift of a $3000 bottle of Grange to then-premier Barry O’Farrell unwittingly led to the Liberal leader’s demise when Mr O’Farrell failed to declare it, said the exoneration proved he should never been there in the first place.

In a submission to a state parliamentary inquiry looking into whether an exoneration protocol should be adopted, Mr di Girolamo said ICAC had engaged in unaccountable, ­untouchable and “abusive” ­behaviour, with witnesses not being given a fair go.

Businessman Charif Kazal is still fighting to clear his name. Picture: Justin Lloyd
Businessman Charif Kazal is still fighting to clear his name. Picture: Justin Lloyd

“No findings of corrupt conduct were made against me,” Mr di Girolamo said.

“Yet I was publicly humiliated and belittled. My reputation was severely damaged.

“I have suffered mentally, physically and financially.

“A torch needs to be shone to examine how individuals such as myself could be accused of corrupt ­behaviour when none was ever found to exist.”

Sky News host Alan Jones, who wrote in support of Operation Vesta witness Charif Kazal, said the refusal by state or federal government to “support, defend and affirm” the Sydney businessman’s innocence was “moral cowardice of the highest order”.

Former police minister Michael Gallacher leaves ICAC after giving evidence. Picture Cameron Richardson
Former police minister Michael Gallacher leaves ICAC after giving evidence. Picture Cameron Richardson

Writing on behalf of former Liberal police minister Mich­ael Gallacher, who resigned after being accused of helping disguise property developer donations to the Liberal Party in Operation Spicer, Lower House Speaker Jonathan O’Dea said it was clear there were shortcomings in the system.

Mr Gallacher, who was cleared of wrongdoing late last year, described the period in between accusation and exoneration as “five years of personal hell”.

READ ALL THE SUBMISSIONS TO A PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY HERE

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/exonerated-highprofile-icac-witnesses-want-formal-apology-for-being-named-and-shamed/news-story/b46717649522df2c383b608cb6b9c1b6