John Sidoti discovered corrupt by ICAC

Drummoyne MP John Sidoti has been discovered to have engaged in severe corrupt conduct through the use of his place to affect native councillors to learn his household’s property pursuits.

The corruption watchdog on Wednesday mentioned Sidoti tried to improperly affect Metropolis of Canada Bay Liberal councillors between late 2013 and early 2017.

The Impartial Fee In opposition to Corruption is in search of recommendation from the Director of Public Prosecutions on whether or not any legal prosecution must be commenced.

“The fee is of the opinion that consideration must be given to acquiring the recommendation of the DPP with respect to the prosecution of Mr Sidoti for the offence of misconduct in public workplace,” its assertion on Wednesday mentioned.

The ICAC held a public inquiry in April final 12 months investigating whether or not Sidoti, who was previously within the Liberal Get together however now sits on the crossbench, had misused his place as a member of parliament.

The inquiry centered on Sidoti’s lobbying to rezone blocks in 5 Dock the place his dad and mom owned property, regardless of consultants discovering it was not within the public curiosity. It additionally examined if Sidoti breached public belief by failing to reveal pecuniary pursuits between 2011 and 2019.

Over 4 weeks, the fee heard proof from former Liberal councillors, social gathering powerbroker Joe Tannous, city planners linked to Sidoti, his accountant and his spouse. Not one of the witnesses have been being investigated by the inquiry.

Sidoti has rejected allegations he fostered a “master-servant” relationship with councillors and threatened their jobs if they didn’t vote in favour of his household’s agenda. He additionally denied that he sought to dislodge councillors from preselection as retribution.

Sidoti, the previous sports activities minister, was sidelined from the frontbench for nearly 18 months whereas the ICAC did a preliminary investigation.