The ICAC would not detail which investigation required the extra powers,but a source with knowledge of the matter confirmed it was related to Nassif’s collapsed development empire Toplace and branch stacking.
NSW Liberal MP Ray Williams last year made extraordinary claims in parliament that he had heard allegations that senior members of his party had been “paid significant funds in order to arrange to put new councillors on The Hills Shire Council” who would support future development applications for Nassif’s company.
Williams’ claims prompted a parliamentary inquiry just weeks before the March state election,which investigated alleged links between Liberal councillors on Hills Shire Council and Nassif.The inquiry delivered a scathing report,in which it said it faced unprecedented and co-ordinated attempts from witnesses to avoid summons.
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Nassif did not attend the inquiry,insisting he was too unwell to travel from rural Lebanon. The report was critical of Liberal Party members Jean-Claude Perrottet,the brother of then-premier Dominic Perrottet,former Liberal state executive member Christian Ellis and Ellis’ mother Virginia,a Hills Shire councillor,who could not be located to be served with summonses.
A warrant is also out for Nassif’s arrest over allegations he obtained a $150 million loan from Westpac through fraudulent pre-sale documents of an apartment complex in Castle Hill. Nassif is believed to be in rural Lebanon,after leaving Australia in December last year.
Nassif’s daughter Ashlyn,29,has had her legal practising certificate suspended while she also fights charges relating to the development.