Daryl Maguire breaks silence after ICAC findings released

Former Wagga MP Daryl Maguire has responded to the bombshell findings of an ICAC report, while hitting out at the media for “stalking” and “harassment”.

Corrupt former MP Daryl Maguire has broken his silence after the Independent Commission Against Corruption recommended the DPP consider bringing criminal charges against him, via a bizarre statement from his lawyer which accused members of the media of “stalking,” “harassment,” and “intimidation”.

The ICAC found Mr Maguire engaged in “serious corrupt conduct” while he was an MP including for misusing his position to advance his own private interests.

In a statement released on Monday, Mr Maguire’s lawyer insisted that his client pushed for millions of dollars in funding for the Wagga Wagga electorate “without any expectation of any personnel (sic) benefit”.

In a two-page statement, Mr Maguire’s lawyer Jim Harrowell said that Mr Maguire’s legal advisers are reviewing the “Long-delayed (sic)” report into Operation Keppel, which he said was “delivered 5 years after Daryl Maguire gave evidence as a witness in Operation Dasha 13 July 2018”.

Former NSW Liberal MP Daryl Maguire outside the Downing Centre court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brendan Read

The ICAC launched a separate investigation into Mr Maguire in 2017 following his comments on the intercepted phone call.

Last Thursday, the ICAC made serious corrupt conduct findings against Mr Maguire in its report into Operation Keppel, and recommended the DPP consider mounting criminal charges of “misconduct in public office”.

No findings of serious corrupt conduct were levelled against Mr Maguire in relation to projects in the Wagga Wagga electorate for which he advocated.

Rather, former premier Gladys Berejiklian was found by the ICAC to have engaged in serious corrupt conduct over how she handled funding for projects Mr Maguire championed, including a gun club and a music conservatorium.

Mr Maguire’s lawyer said his client “denies all allegations” referring to his pursuit of funding for certain projects in Wagga Wagga.

In the statement, Mr Maguire’s lawyer took aim at members of the media, which he accused of “stalking … young women”.

Former premier Gladys Berejiklian with former MP Daryl Maguire.

He claimed that members of the media had caused “three traffic near collisions” and had followed “young women to their work at 5am on at least two occasions”.

Mr Harrowell also claimed that drones had been “illegally flying” above Mr Maguire’s rural agistment, spooking “valuable horses”.

“Further media continue to trespass on government owned rail corridors which again is unsafe and illegal.

“We ask in all reasonableness, that you desist from your appalling behaviour towards these people and your unsafe reckless activities,” he said.

“The presumption of innocence is the foundation of our legal system and should be respected by all.

“The legal advisors and Daryl Maguire will make no further comment nor debate the ICAC report with media or give interviews as such statements and interviews could affect future legal action that Daryl Maguire and his team may take or respond to,” he said.

Neither Premier Chris Minns or his deputy Prue Car have committed to implementing the recommendations of the ICAC report designed to prevent conflicts of interest.

Ms Car said on Monday the government was working through the report but wouldn’t comment further as to the recommendations.

“Some of it maybe subject to legal action so there are some things that cannot be said, but we will maintain... all members of parliament are committed to ensuring that conflicts of interest are managed,” she said.

Mr Minns told media on Friday he was “not prepared” to claim he accepted the ICAC’s findings Ms Berejiklian was corrupt.

“I’m not going to comment about specific recommendations or inquiries just as I wouldn’t in the normal course of events comment about Supreme Court judgments,” he said.