‘Longer than WWII’: IBAC corruption probe nears end

It’s been running for longer than WWII, but a decision on whether charges will be laid over IBAC’s Operation Sandon is close.

Former Casey mayor Sam Aziz (left) and developer John Woodman. Picture: Ian Currie

Victorian prosecutors are expected to decide before Christmas whether to lay criminal charges over allegedly corrupt property deals that were subjected to an anti-corruption investigation that has dragged on for longer than WWII.

The Australian can reveal a senior prosecutor in the Office of Public Prosecutions is in the final stages of reviewing a brief of evidence submitted by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission.

The two key targets of Operation Sandon, former Casey mayor Sam Aziz and property developer John Woodman, have been waiting since the release of the inquiry’s final report about 18 months ago to learn if they will be prosecuted.

In a statement to The Australian on Tuesday, IBAC acknowledged the “impact that delays on the finalisation of any investigation” may have on witnesses, and the agency “remains committed to finalising the matter as efficiently as possible”.

Operation Sandon, which also secretly grilled former premier Daniel Andrews over his and the ALP’s links to Mr Woodman, started in 2017 and expanded across 2018-19 into a complex and marathon probe by IBAC.

“Operation Sandon was a complex and long running investigation that involved 40 days of public examinations,” an IBAC spokesperson said.

“After tabling the Operation Sandon special report in July 2023, IBAC has considered what charges (if any) should be filed.

“This includes determining if there is sufficient admissible evidence and if the prosecution is in the public interest, in consultation with the Office of Public Prosecutions. This process remains ongoing.”

Property developer John Woodman. Aaron Francis / The Australian

The OPP declined to comment on Tuesday, saying only; “we have no comment to make on this matter.”

Mr Aziz has slammed the long delays that have plagued Operation Sandon which was hit by controversy in January 2022 when former Casey mayor and witness Amanda Stapledon died by suicide three days after being sent a draft report by IBAC.

“This drawn out process constitutes absolute cruelty,” Mr Aziz told The Australian.

“They cleared Geoff (Ablett) earlier this year, but months later we’re still waiting.”

Former Casey mayor and councillor Sam Aziz. Source: Facebook

Former Casey councillor and VFL footballer Geoff Ablett and multiple other witnesses were informed by IBAC six months ago that they would not be referred for prosecution over allegedly corrupt land deals between Mr Woodman and Casey councillors.

Mr Aziz, Mr Woodman and Mr Ablett were the three key targets of Operation Sandon with all enduring days of public examination. The Operation Sandon final report accused Mr Ablett of pocketing about $500,000 and Mr Aziz about $600,000 in payments from Mr Woodman.

Separately, a long-running anti-corruption investigation into dealings between the Andrews government and the firefighters’ union will drag into 2025.

There is no sign that as another year ends in the marathon inquiry, which has also been running for longer than WWII, that the probe is nearing conclusion.

“IBAC is still working towards finalising the Operation Richmond special report. No tabling date has been determined,” an IBAC spokesperson said.

Operation Richmond is a top-secret probe into the 2016 pay-and-conditions negotiations between Labor and the United Firefighters Union. Some Operation Richmond witnesses, during their secret questioning by the agency, were grilled about the role of then premier Daniel Andrews in the enterprise bargaining agreement talks with UFU state secretary Peter Marshall.

The Australian believes Mr Andrews was secretly examined as part of Operation Richmond, but both the former premier and agency repeatedly refuse to confirm or deny he was privately questioned.