Nassif withdraws from Icac inquiry over medical certificate
The fugitive property developer has postponed his scheduled video testimony to the NSW corruption watchdog, citing health reasons.
Fugitive property developer Jean Nassif has withdrawn from a scheduled video appearance at the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) this week. The developer, who is currently in rural Lebanon, provided the commission with a medical certificate to justify the rescheduling of his testimony to a later date.
Counsel assisting the commission, Dr Peggy Dwyer SC, confirmed the change during the hearing. She noted that Nassif was originally scheduled to give evidence via video link on Friday but that his appearance has now been moved to a later stage of the public inquiry.
The withdrawal comes less than a week after Icac announced that Nassif would appear. He fled Australia for rural Lebanon in 2022 following a NSW parliamentary inquiry that preceded the current Icac investigation.
The commission is investigating allegations that Liberal figures, including former Premier Charles Perrottet, anticipated receiving $2 million in prohibited political donations from Nassif. The alleged payments were expected in exchange for political outcomes that would benefit the developer’s projects.
Perrottet concluded his evidence on the same day, denying that he asked Nassif for payments for political outcomes. However, he admitted to adding a “political flavour” to updates provided to the developer to maintain his support.
During his testimony, Perrottet was also questioned about a 2021 dinner meeting with Nassif at Nobu in Melbourne. Nassif has previously denied any wrongdoing in the matter.
