ICAC hears Canada Bay mayor Angelo Tsirekas allegedly took bribes by property developers

·

The Mayor of Canada Bay, Angelo Tsirekas, helped property developers fast-track applications in exchange for overseas flights and accommodation, a corruption inquiry has heard.

NSW’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is probing allegations Mr Tsirekas abused his position and failed to disclose conflicts of interest.

On the first day of hearings on Tuesday, counsel assisting Jamie Darams said Mr Tsirekas created a network of developers and professionals to help a series of projects clear his own council’s planning hurdles.

Assisting counsel Jamie Darams at the ICAC hearing. Picture: ICAC.

According to ABC News, the network allegedly involved developers I-Prosperity, Billbergia and Prolet, advisor Joseph Chidiac, real estate agent Francesco Colacicco, accountant Frank Bruzzano, former town planner David Furlong and City of Canada Bay Council’s general manager Gary Sawyer.

On Tuesday, the ICAC heard evidence involving Mr Tsirekas and Chinese developer I-Prosperity, which proposed building a 400-unit apartment block on Marquet Street in Rhodes in 2016.

Chief commissioner Peter Hall heard claims Cr Tsirekas accepted several developer-funded trips to Shanghai and Lebanon, following a series of approvals by the now-liquidated iProsperity Group.

Angelo Tsirekas. Photo: Facebook / City of Canada Bay.

The hearing into allegations surrounding Mr Tsirekas is expected to continue for four weeks. 

In response, a spokesman for Canada Bay Council told The Sydney Morning Herald the Mayor had been granted a leave of absence “for personal reasons” for the duration of the hearing.

Mr Tsirekas later told the Herald he had not made any further decisions about his role “at this stage.”

“I’m proceeding, I’m going forward and defending myself, and we’ll leave it at that,” he concluded.

Source: ABC News and The Sydney Morning Herald.

greek film festival melbourne

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Sydney shines as Greek Film Festival celebrates 30 years of cinema and culture

The 30th Greek Film Festival of Sydney opened in spectacular fashion on Tuesday night with Kapetan Mihalis.

Celebrate the 113th anniversary of Lesvos’ liberation at Mytilenian House in Sydney

The Mytilenian Brotherhood of Sydney and NSW is set to celebrate the 113th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Island of Lesvos.

Luncheon raises $95,000 for Holy Monastery of St John in Western Australia

The Greek Orthodox Diocese of Perth hosted a fundraising luncheon on Sunday, October 12, at the Archdiocese Conference Room in Dianella.

‘Kapetan Mihalis’ opens 30th Greek Film Festival in Melbourne

The 30th Greek Film Festival, presented by the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), officially opened Tuesday, October 14.

Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Loverdos strengthens bilateral ties in Canberra

Greece’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Greeks Abroad, Ioannis Loverdos, has continued his official visit to Australia in Canberra.

You May Also Like

Apodimi Compania review – Masters of Greek rebetika impress in Sydney

Review on Apodimi Compania - some descriptions don't capture the sharp impact of their music and their performance in the moment.

St Basil’s Fawkner bosses ordered to give evidence over COVID-19 outbreak

Former senior managers at St Basil's Fawkner in Victoria, Kon Kontis and Vicky Kos, will be forced to give evidence in a coronial inquest.

Melbourne’s Greek community condemns racism against Indigenous Australians

The Greek Community of Melbourne has condemned racism against Indigenous Australians and all ethnic communities in a statement released today.