Operation Hector: ICAC reveals witnesses in Inner West Council, Transport for NSW corruption allegations inquiry
The state’s anti-corruption commission has revealed the witnesses in a public inquiry into allegations tabled against a Sydney council and Transport for NSW.
Inner West
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The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption has released its witness list ahead of a public inquiry on Monday into alleged corruption at Inner West Council and Transport for NSW.
Council employee Tony Nguyen will be first to face questioning over allegations he partially and/or dishonestly exercised his official functions by awarding and/or recommending council contracts and tenders to companies with which he was associated.
The corruption watchdog is also investigating allegations that up to three bureaucrats from the state’s transport agency used their positions dishonestly in awarding contracts to various companies for their own advantage.
Seng Du Lapahai and Monty Nguy will also be called as witnesses to appear at the inquiry. Lapahai and Nguy are not accused of any wrongdoing.
Dubbed Operation Hector, the inquiry is also investigating whether staff at Downer EDI Works Pty Ltd also dishonestly obtained a benefit for themselves by favouring certain subcontractors when awarding work arising from contracts.
Allegations that Transport employees and a Downer employee dishonestly benefited from the payment or application of public funds for their own private advantage by submitting and approving timesheets and invoices for payment in circumstances where no work was carried out are also being examined.
ICAC has said it will investigate ex-council employee Tony Nguyen, former Transport for NSW staff Benjamin Vardanega, Nima Abdi and Raja Sanber, as well as more unnamed employees from Transport and Downer. No criminal charges have been laid.
The inquiry will gather evidence related to the allegations and will be presided by chief commissioner John Hatzistergos, who was elevated to the position last year.
An Inner West Council statement read council was aware of the inquiry and would “assist ICAC with their inquiries”.
“Council referred the matter to ICAC on becoming aware of concerns regarding Mr Nguyen,” the statement read.
“Mr Nguyen was subsequently suspended from duties and resigned shortly after a number of allegations were put to him in 2020.”
A Transport for NSW spokesman said the department would “fully co-operate with the investigation”.
“Those named no longer work for Transport for NSW,” he said.
“As the matter is before the ICAC, it would be inappropriate to make further comment.”
The inquiry will start on Monday.
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