ICAC Operation Rosny LIVE updates: Jeremy Greenwood to return to witness box after Jean Nassif slams Elliott, Chandler in chaotic appearance

Jeremy Greenwood last week told the corruption inquiry that he regrets not keeping records of agreements made with Jean Nassif as the ICAC investigates large sums paid by the developer allegedly in exchange for political outcomes.

Greenwood said large payments made to his company Beckington were in recognition of help they gave in securing a fast-track process for two Toplace development projects dubbed Garthowen and Macquarie.

“But there’s nothing in writing to reflect that, correct?” Peggy Dwyer, SC, asked.

“No,” Greenwood said.

In between the Beirut bedroom rantings of fugitive Jean Nassif, the latest delicious episode of the ICAC has turned to Strathfield Council, where the order of the day appears to be scheming, double-dealing, broken promises and clandestine meetings in dark corners of establishments such as the Horse & Jockey Hotel.

At the heart of these Machiavellian manipulations appears to be the desire to attire oneself in the crimson mayoral robes, wear the heavy, silver-linked chain and have use of the mayoral wheels: a Toyota.

Listening to the evidence unfold was like watching a rerun of the entertaining documentary Rats in the Ranks.

“Leading up to the 1994 mayoral election, the three contenders for the position of mayor of the inner west council of Leichhardt, including Mayor Larry Hand, allowed themselves to be filmed for a documentary,” wrote author Robert Drew in a review for the Herald in 1996.

Welcome back to the Herald’s live coverage of the ICAC’s Operation Rosny public hearings, and after a chaotic interlude from Jean Nassif, the inquiry is now returning to regular programming.

I’m state political reporter Jessica McSweeney, and I’ll be bringing you all the latest updates as lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood returns to the witness box.

Greenwood will continue to be questioned on his connection to Jean Nassif and his knowledge of various payments made to and from his company Beckington, and later JPG Advisory.

Until then, here’s a recap of what we covered yesterday:

• Jean Nassif dialled in from Beirut and launched into an angry tirade against David Elliott, David Chandler, and the ICAC itself, ranting about the “deep state” and calling the corruption inquiry a “waste of time” for not pursuing his enemies.
• Nassif defended his daughter Ashlyn after she was last week sentenced for her part falsifying documents to secure a $150 million loan for Toplace. Her father spectacularly claimed she was forced to plead guilty by police because of their “dirty minds”. He vowed to bring an international case against the government and would return to Australia when he had cleared his name.
• Nassif insisted he was not corrupt, and told the public inquiry that any political work done by Jeremy Greenwood and Christian Ellis with his money did not involve him. He also said that he was led to believe “the boys” would help get David Chandler off his back.
• The fugitive developer told the ICAC that he did not leave Australia in December 2022 to dodge a parliamentary inquiry, but instead travelled to receive an award for “number one businessman from Arabic background around the world”.
• Nassif furiously declared “no one can make me shut up” when asked by assistant commissioner Fabian Gleeson, SC, to answer the ICAC’s questions instead of his lengthy tirade. As Nassif appeared voluntarily from overseas, Gleeson did not have the same powers to intervene during the questioning. Nassif repeatedly threatened to pull out of his appearance and accused the ICAC of wanting Australia to be “ruled by crooks”.