ICAC investigating corruption allegations against Emam Sharobeem

NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption will hold a public inquiry into corruption allegations around former Fairfield CEO Eman Sharobeem.

THE NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) will hold a public inquiry into corruption allegations around Eman Sharobeem, the former chief executive officer (CEO) of the Fairfield-based Immigrant Women’s Health Service (IWHS) and the Non-English Speaking Housing Women’s Scheme Inc (NESH).

The inquiry will be held from Monday, May 1 and two weeks have been set aside for the hearing.

Immigration Women's Health Service former CEO Eman Sharobeem. Picture: Ian Svegovic

The IWHS was a not-for-profit non-government organisation (NGO) women’s health service, primarily funded by NSW Health via South West Sydney Local Health District, while the NESH was a not-for-profit contracted and funded by the Family and Community Services Department to provide affordable housing to women and children.

IWHS closed last year after its funding was withdrawn.

Helen Arabzada and Armenouhi Stephan (leader of Iraqi Women's League) and members of the community protest last year’s closure of the Immigrant Women's Health Centre in Fairfield.

In her capacity as CEO, Ms Sharobeem was a public official for the purposes of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988.

The Commission’s Operation Tarlo is investigating allegations that Ms Sharobeem dishonestly exercised her official functions as IWHS CEO by:

Between July 1, 2009 and February 17, 2016, submitting invoices for reimbursement for goods and services to which she was not entitled and using an IWHS credit card to pay for personal expenses;

Between 2014 and 2015 submitting, and authorising payment by IWHS of, false invoices for facilitation fees and other services to herself and other persons to which they were not entitled;

Between 2011 and 2015, submitting, and authorising payment of, invoices by the IWHS for the renovation of her property in Fairfield;

And between 2012 and 2014, falsifying IWHS statistics to NSW Health.

Ms Sharobeem is also alleged to have dishonestly exercised her official functions between 2006 and 2016 by claiming to be a psychologist holding two PhD degrees and a masters degree, and further using those qualifications to treat IWHS clients and gain promotion to the position of CEO of the IWHS and the NESH.

As NESH CEO, Ms Sharobeem is alleged to have dishonestly exercised her official functions between December 17, 2013 and November 23, 2015 by authorising payments from NESH to be made to her own account, to which she was not entitled.

Between March 2011 and November 2016, Ms Sharobeem is also alleged to have fraudulently obtained and retained appointment as a board member of the Community Relations Commission (now Multicultural NSW) and the Anti-Discrimination Board (now part of the Department of Justice) by using false academic qualifications.

In 2014, Eman Sharobeem talked with a woman in her 40s who was speaking out after being married off as a child bride.

The public inquiry will start at 10am and will be held in the Commission’s hearing room on Level 7, 255 Elizabeth St, Sydney.

Acting Commissioner Reginald Blanch AM QC will preside at the public inquiry, and Counsel Assisting the Commission will be Ramesh Rajalingam.

A witness list will be published on the Commission’s website prior to the start of the public inquiry.