A ‘grubby rumour’ and a $5m extortion attempt: former Toplace executive gives Icac evidence
This story was selected and curated by our editorial team in the Australia news category. Published on September 23, 2026 • Originally reported by Penry Buckley. OMEGAZEPRIME provides independent news coverage and analysis for our readers. Stay informed with the latest developments.
Sharangan Maheswaran also told inquiry his bid for story on unsubstantiated rumour about then-Liberal minister David Elliott was ‘not a serious offer’
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A purported $5m extortion attempt of fugitive property developer Jean Nassif was actually a genuine request for his company Toplace to pay a contractor, a lawyer assisting the New South Wales anti-corruption watchdog has argued.
Former Toplace lawyer and executive Sharangan Maheswaran told the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) on Wednesday he had not “dishonestly conveyed” to the building commissioner, David Chandler, that someone had attempted to extort Nassif on Chandler’s behalf.
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