The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has found former assistant tax commissioner Nick Petroulias engaged in corrupt conduct by masterminding bogus property deals to sell off more than $12 million worth of Aboriginal land near Newcastle.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the corruption watchdog found Petroulias stole the identity of a dead person to conceal his involvement in the transactions.
The ICAC also made corruption findings against two directors of the Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council, Debbie Dates and Richard Green, and Petroulias’ long time partner, Despina Bakis.
The ICAC recommended the Director of Public Prosecutions should consider charging Petroulias and Bakis with fraud, aiding and abetting misconduct in public office and conspiracy to defraud.
It also recommended potential charges against Petroulias for corruptly receiving commissions and Bakis with aiding and abetting the receiving of those commissions.
The ICAC first announced the public inquiry in March 2018, six months after a special investigation by the Newcastle Herald shone a spotlight on the intricate web of property dealings.
FULL STORY: The Sydney Morning Herald.
