NSW ICAC investigates Charles Perrottet, Jean Nassif, and alleged corruption involving Liberal Party donations
Consensus Summary
The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is investigating allegations that Charles Perrottet, brother of former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet, used his Liberal Party connections to advance the interests of fugitive property developer Jean Nassif. Central to the inquiry is whether Charles Perrottet and others, including lobbyists Christian Ellis and Jeremy Greenwood, received $2 million in prohibited political donations from Nassif’s company, Toplace, to secure political outcomes such as the removal of the NSW building commissioner David Chandler and the unseating of Liberal councillors opposing Nassif’s developments. Charles Perrottet has admitted to lying to ICAC about the purpose of a $148,000 cheque and fabricating claims about his involvement in lobbying efforts, including contacting a non-existent 'PDU contact' to help Nassif’s projects. He also acknowledged routing payments for his advice through his wife Anita’s consulting firm, Macquarie Consulting, to avoid tax disclosure, though no documents were produced to substantiate the work. Anita Perrottet testified she was paid $660,999 for 'marketing advice' and 'project consulting fees,' but could not recall details of the work or produce evidence beyond invoices. The inquiry has also uncovered text messages and emails suggesting Charles Perrottet played a key role in securing Dominic Perrottet’s premiership in October 2021 and coordinating efforts to remove political adversaries like David Elliott. Jean Nassif, who fled to Lebanon in 2022, is expected to appear by video link to deny wrongdoing. The investigation highlights concerns about hidden payments, political influence, and the blurred line between 'advice' and 'work' in NSW Liberal Party circles.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Charles Perrottet shared two audio files with Chris Spence in 2021: one in May 2021 allegedly involving Jean Nassif discussing an occupation certificate for a development in exchange for money, and another in October 2021 involving a pocket phone recording of David Elliott criticizing Dominic Perrottet.
- Charles Perrottet admitted to lying to ICAC about the purpose of a $148,000 cheque received at the Longueville Hotel in Sydney in January 2021, initially claiming it was for a statutory declaration but later admitting it was for Beckington (a lobbying firm).
- Charles Perrottet acknowledged he made up claims about contacting a 'PDU contact' in relation to a Toplace development in Parramatta (referred to as '189') in a January 2021 message to Jean Nassif.
- Anita Perrottet was paid $660,999 over two-and-a-half years by Beckington and JPG Advisory for 'marketing advice' and 'project consulting fees', though no documents or emails were produced to substantiate the work.
- David Chandler resigned as NSW Building Commissioner in July 2022, citing concerns with Eleni Petinos, who was sacked the same month amid bullying allegations.
- Dominic Perrottet became NSW premier in October 2021 following Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation.
- Jean Nassif fled Australia for rural Lebanon in 2022 and is not expected to appear before ICAC.
- Charles Perrottet and Anita Perrottet discussed his role in securing Dominic Perrottet’s premiership in October 2021, with Anita texting 'he couldn’t have done it without you' and Charles replying about 'executing the prick' (referring to David Elliott).
- Charles Perrottet described himself as a member of the NSW Liberals’ conservative right faction and said he was 'very well respected' within the party.
- Charles Perrottet denied being a 'conduit' to Dominic Perrottet but admitted others would complain to him about the government, and he would sometimes try to speak to Dominic about issues.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Chris Spence, former MP for The Entrance (2011–2015) and chief of staff to Anthony Roberts (2019–2023), was asked about the audio files shared by Charles Perrottet in 2021, including one involving David Elliott criticizing Dominic Perrottet.
- Eleni Petinos, former NSW fair trading minister, told ICAC she believed she was 'used' by fellow Liberals, including Chris Spence and Charles Perrottet, to get rid of David Chandler.
- Charles Perrottet said he advised Jean Nassif to join the Property Council and use the fast-track process set up by the NSW government in April 2020 to secure approval of his projects during the Covid pandemic.
- Charles Perrottet claimed he suggested payments for his advice to Nassif be routed through his wife Anita’s consulting firm, Macquarie Consulting, to avoid tax disclosure.
- Charles Perrottet admitted he did not disclose the payments to Anita Perrottet in his tax return, stating 'If I was drawing a wage,' it would be taxable.
- Charles Perrottet and Anita Perrottet discussed pushing council matters with Dominic Perrottet and removing David Elliott after Dominic became premier in October 2021.
- Charles Perrottet said he bonded with Jean Nassif over their 'frustrations' with David Elliott, who opposed Nassif’s developments in the Hills Shire area.
- Charles Perrottet said he met Jean Nassif in December 2019 and provided him with advice on progressing his developments over several years.
- Charles Perrottet said he 'made up' updates for Nassif to 'keep him on side' and admitted to 'regularly misleading' him about his own involvement in lobbying work.
- Charles Perrottet said he described a system for developers to support the party faction while avoiding donation law restrictions, calling it the 'money train,' with retainers worth $50,000 per month.
- Charles Perrottet was accused of 'tying yourself in knots' by counsel assisting Peggy Dwyer SC over inconsistent explanations about messages he sent to Jean Nassif about Liberal Party preselections.
- Charles Perrottet admitted he 'made it up' when he told Jean Nassif he was contacting a non-existent person to help with a Toplace project.
- Charles Perrottet said he wanted to 'appease' Jean Nassif and provide 'political updates' to encourage payments to Beckington, a lobbying firm.
- Charles Perrottet was shown a photograph of a $148,000 cheque addressed to Beckington, which he initially denied knowing the value of, before admitting he was mistaken.
- Charles Perrottet said he may have delivered the $148,000 cheque to Jeremy Greenwood’s home instead of the pub.
- Charles Perrottet said he was gathering evidence about alleged political activity involving developers while also helping his Liberal allies pursue unpaid bills.
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The Guardian states Charles Perrottet shared a $148,500 cheque at a Sydney pub in January 2021, while the ABC states the cheque was for $148,000 and the meeting occurred at the Longueville Hotel in Sydney's lower north shore.
- The Guardian says Charles Perrottet admitted he did not disclose payments to Anita Perrottet in his tax return, while the ABC does not mention this specific tax disclosure issue.
- The Guardian reports Anita Perrottet was paid $313,500 from Beckington and $347,000 from JPG Advisory, totaling $660,999, while the ABC does not specify the exact amounts but confirms payments were made.
- The Guardian states Charles Perrottet said he 'made up' claims about contacting a 'PDU contact' in January 2021, while the ABC does not explicitly mention this admission in the same context.
- The Guardian reports Charles Perrottet said he bonded with Jean Nassif over their frustrations with David Elliott, while the ABC does not mention this personal dynamic.
Source Articles
Dominic Perrottet’s brother allegedly shared ‘dirt’ including secret phone recording of minister, Icac hears
Charles Perrottet appeared to be furthering fugitive developer Jean Nassif’s interests by undermining adversaries, a former NSW MP claims Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Dominic Perrottet’s brother shared “dirt” – including a secret pocket phone recording of a minister – to try to help a property developer achieve political outcomes, lawyers assisting a corruption inquiry have alleged. Former New South Wales Libe
Former NSW premier's brother Charles Perrottet accused of lying to ICAC
Charles Perrottet has been accused of "tying yourself in knots" and lying to the state's corruption watchdog over his dealings with fugitive property developer Jean Nassif.
Icac lawyer tells Charles Perrottet the key to lying is ‘you have to be really good at remembering it’
Perrottet disagrees when counsel assisting Peggy Dwyer SC claims brother of former NSW premier is not truthful and ‘constructing evidence’ Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A brother of former New South Wales premier Dominic Perrottet has told Icac he would lie to a property developer about delivering political outcomes “to keep him on side”, but Charles Perrottet has denied lying to the state’s anti-corruption wat
What’s the difference between paid work and friendly advice? Charles Perrottet and Icac are finding out
Star witness says he wasn’t paid directly for advice he gave to a consultancy – but his wife’s company got bigs sums of money Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Is there a difference between advice and work, when you’re a political operative and large sums of money come your way? There is, at least in the mind of Charles Perrottet, a brother of the former New South Wales premier Dominic Perrottet and a rightwing Liberal powerbroker who was the star witness at the Indepe
Charles Perrottet becomes Icac’s main character amid claims of hidden payments and political hit jobs
The brother of former premier questioned over what, if anything, was done in return for $2m from developer turned fugitive Jean Nassif Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Finally, we are hearing from one of the central characters, Charles Perrottet, in a saga that has occupied the Independent Commission against Corruption (Icac) for nearly four years. It began with the dismissal of the Hills Shire council and a late night 2022 speech in NSW parliament alleging secret pay
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