PI tells Australian corruption panel he spied on MP

A private investigator told an Australian corruption inquiry that he spied on a former state government minister and supplied hidden recording equipment to a fugitive property developer. Shane De Kauwe gave evidence to the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption regarding surveillance operations conducted on former Liberal minister David Elliott and former building commissioner David Chandler.

The watchdog is investigating allegations that property developer Jean Nassif or his construction company Toplace provided $2 million in illegal donations to Liberal Party figures in exchange for political favors. The alleged motives included undermining Elliott, who opposed Toplace developments, and removing Chandler, who was investigating construction defects in Toplace buildings.

Surveillance of Public Figures

De Kauwe testified that he took direct instructions to spy on Elliott from Toplace lawyer and executive Sharangan Maheswaran. The investigation sought to probe unsubstantiated claims that Elliott had breached COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in 2020 and identify a woman he had met, with the intention of passing the details to a journalist.

In 2022, De Kauwe used a ladder to mount a static camera without authorization on an apartment building facing a car park to record the woman’s vehicle, billing Toplace $15,000 for the task. He also followed Elliott, who was serving as veterans minister, during an Anzac Day parade but reported finding no evidence of wrongdoing. Elliott, who is not accused of misconduct, later ridiculed De Kauwe during his own testimony, describing him as the “Maxwell Smart of the NSW private investigator industry”.

Covert Recording Devices and Demands

De Kauwe admitted to providing covert listening equipment to Maheswaran, Nassif, and Liberal figure Jeremy Greenwood. The devices included voice-recording pens and small square recording tags purchased online. He supplied a second device to Nassif after the developer had difficulty operating the first.

According to De Kauwe, Nassif wanted to record two individuals who allegedly demanded $5 million on Chandler’s behalf in exchange for granting occupancy certificates for Toplace projects. De Kauwe stated he believed the individuals were trying to defraud Nassif rather than acting for Chandler, and he reported the matter to police in 2024. Chandler faces no allegations of wrongdoing. De Kauwe also acknowledged charging Maheswaran $13,400 to conduct six days of surveillance on Chandler in 2021.

Broader Inquiry and Council Allegations

The corruption commission is examining whether $2 million in illegal donations was paid to Liberal figures Christian Ellis, Jeremy Greenwood, and Charles Perrottet. Greenwood and Perrottet have denied that any payments were made for political outcomes, while Ellis has moved overseas and is not expected to give evidence. Nassif, speaking via video link from Lebanon after fleeing Australia in 2022, denied being corrupt. De Kauwe noted that Nassif continued to request surveillance on Elliott, Chandler, and radio presenter Ray Hadley after leaving the country.

The inquiry is further examining whether Maheswaran and fellow Strathfield Labor councillor Karen Pensabene engaged in blackmail or illegal wiretapping against Strathfield Mayor Matthew Blackmore following a dispute over a leadership agreement. De Kauwe, a former Australian Federal Police officer, revealed he spied on Blackmore and made secret audio recordings after claiming his hearing aids picked up a “corrupt conversation” in a cafe. De Kauwe acknowledged receiving legal advice from Maheswaran while Maheswaran was his client, stating he trusted him implicitly and saw no conflict of interest.

Background

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) is an independent public body in New South Wales, Australia, tasked with investigating and preventing corruption within the state’s public sector. Its hearings hold the power to examine conduct involving elected politicians, public officials, and commercial property developers.