Former NSW MP Daryl Maguire found guilty of misleading corruption inquiry

Daryl Maguire, the former Liberal MP for Wagga Wagga, has been convicted of misleading the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) during its investigation into alleged corruption surrounding a significant property development sale valued at approximately $48 million. The verdict was delivered by Magistrate Clare Farnan at the Downing Centre Court in Sydney, where she highlighted the importance of transparency in judicial proceedings. Despite attempts by Maguire's legal team to suppress the publication of the verdict, Magistrate Farnan emphasized that the community's right to open justice outweighed Maguire's interests, thus allowing the details of the case to be made public. This ruling followed a hearing that took place in July 2018, during which Maguire faced intense scrutiny regarding his expectations from the sale of the Campsie property in Sydney's south-west region.

The ICAC investigation, known as Operation Dasha, initially focused on allegations of corruption at the local council, but it later revealed Maguire's secretive relationship with former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. This relationship ultimately contributed to Berejiklian's political downfall, as she also faced scrutiny from ICAC for failing to disclose her ties to Maguire, which spanned several years while she held significant governmental roles such as transport minister and treasurer. Following his testimony to the ICAC, Maguire resigned from his position in the Berejiklian government and later stepped down from parliament entirely. The ongoing investigations into his conduct and the implications of his actions continue to resonate within the political landscape of New South Wales, highlighting issues of accountability and ethical governance in public office.