ICAC Operation Rosny LIVE updates: Texts between former Strathfield councillor, Toplace lawyer Sharangan Maheswaran, Jeremy Greenwood revealed over plan to ‘kill’ Elliott’s career

Sharangan Maheswaran, who is yet to give evidence to the ICAC, appears to have the uncanny ability to be everywhere all at once, including being in the male bathroom near the commission’s hearing room at the very same time another witness, Charles Perrottet, was availing himself of the facilities.

Maheswaran, 36, is a key link to many troubled folk facing this Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry. He was the lawyer and right-hand man to fugitive developer Jean Nassif, and best buddies with a private investigator engaged to surveil targets and a former Strathfield councillor.

Earlier this week, when fugitive developer Nassif was in the middle of his rabid ravings from his Beirut bedroom, Nassif was asked whether he was getting messages from Maheswaran while giving evidence. “No, no, no,” said Nassif.

“Have you spoken to Sharangan about what to say in relation to your telephone intercepts?” he was asked. Nassif denied this, along with the suggestion he and Maheswaran had discussed Charles Perrottet’s evidence.

We’ve just got our hands on the witness list for next week and no surprises here – there’s plenty to come from Sharangan Maheswaran.

Jean Nassif’s one-time offsider will take to the witness box for at least five days, beginning today. We’ll also hear evidence from Shane De Kauwe, the private investigator paid by Toplace for surveillance.

Here’s the full list:

Monday 21 September: Sharangan Maheswaran

Tuesday 22 September: Shane De Kauwe

Hello and welcome to the Herald’s live coverage of the ICAC’s Operation Rosny public hearings.

I’m state political reporter Jessica McSweeney, and I’ll be bringing you all the latest news as it happens inside the hearing room.

Today Toplace lawyer and former Strathfield councillor Sharangan Maheswaran will be sworn in for the first day of what is expected to be a marathon appearance – he’s schedules for at least five days in the witness box.

Before then, let’s take a look at what we covered yesterday:

• Former real estate agent Mohammad Abedin said his statement to the ICAC, which made serious allegations against Matthew Blackmore, was prepared in part by ChatGPT. He denied suggestions he had simply signed a statement prepared by Sharangan Maheswaran.
• Abedin could not provide an explanation as to why texts show Maheswaran had an identical copy of his draft statement before it was signed, nor why a lawyer witnessing the signature then sent to signed copy to Maheswaran.
• Counsel assisting Juliet Curtin said the commission had no evidence of ChatGPT being used on Abedin’s phone. He said he was overseas when he used it on a different phone in Bangladesh.
• Abedin blamed ChatGPT for inconsistencies with his written statement and evidence given in the public hearing.
• Abedin said he wasn’t pressured or asked by anyone to make a statement to the ICAC, but said he decided to do so after a perception he had about a “dodgy deal” to do with former mayors Blackmore and Antoine Doueihi. When asked what the basis was for that perception, he said he didn’t recall.