Former Liberal MP Daryl Maguire has been convicted of misleading the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) regarding anticipated gains from a $48 million property sale. The ruling was delivered by Magistrate Clare Farnan at the Downing Centre Courthouse in Sydney, where Maguire appeared to hear the verdict.
Maguire, who previously represented Wagga Wagga, is linked to the political downfall of ex-NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian following revelations of their covert relationship. The court found that he had provided false information during his testimony to the ICAC assessments conducted in July 2018, particularly regarding the financial benefits of a property development in Campsie.
Magistrate Farnan dismissed a request from Maguire’s legal team to keep the guilty verdict confidential, emphasising that public interest in open justice outweighed Maguire’s concerns. The ICAC investigation sought to clarify the context of the property sale and Maguire’s involvement, revealing discrepancies in his statements regarding expected reimbursements from the sale.
Throughout the proceedings, prosecutors highlighted inconsistencies in Maguire’s account, implying that he had faltered during questioning about the sale’s financial implications. This was part of the broader Operation Dasha investigation, which scrutinised corruption allegations at the local council level.
Maguire’s political career suffered significantly following these events; he resigned from the Berejiklian government and later exited parliament entirely under mounting pressure. The ICAC later delved deeper into his affairs, unveiling his clandestine relationship with Berejiklian in 2020. This relationship, which lasted over five years while she held various high-profile positions including transport minister, treasurer, and premier, ultimately led to Berejiklian stepping down. The ICAC found that she had breached public trust by not disclosing their relationship.
The case has highlighted significant issues surrounding accountability and integrity within NSW politics, particularly in light of the connections between Maguire’s actions and Berejiklian’s political career.