Former Toplace Executive Tells ICAC Inquiry Extortion Claim Was Actually a Contractor Payment Request

A former lawyer and executive at property developer Toplace, Sharangan Maheswaran, told the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on Wednesday that he had not "dishonestly conveyed" to building commissioner David Chandler that someone had attempted to extort fugitive developer Jean Nassif, according to a report from The Guardian.

A lawyer assisting the inquiry argued that a purported $5 million extortion attempt against Nassif was, in fact, a genuine request for Toplace to pay a contractor, rather than an act of extortion.

Rumour about a former minister also addressed

Maheswaran also told the inquiry that his bid to pitch a story based on an unsubstantiated rumour about then-Liberal minister David Elliott was "not a serious offer," pushing back on the characterization of that episode as well.

The evidence forms part of the ICAC's broader inquiry, which is examining conduct connected to Toplace and figures associated with the company, including Nassif, who has been described in media reports as a fugitive property developer.

The inquiry is ongoing, with further evidence expected to be presented in coming sessions.