Private Investigator Testifies: Jean Nassif Hired Him to Investigate Ray Hadley and David Elliott

A private investigator has told the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) that fugitive property developer Jean Nassif hired him to investigate broadcaster Ray Hadley and former Liberal minister David Elliott.

Former Australian Federal Police officer Shane De Kauwe, who is now a private investigator, told the ICAC he received instructions from former Toplace lawyer and Strathfield councillor Sharangan Maheswaran to investigate Mr Elliott and others. Mr De Kauwe said Mr Nassif later asked him to investigate Mr Hadley, Mr Elliott and former NSW building commissioner David Chandler after Mr Nassif fled to Lebanon.

When asked why Mr Nassif wanted Mr Chandler investigated, Mr De Kauwe said that Mr Nassif "hated him". The investigator said he relayed Mr Nassif's requests to Mr Maheswaran, but they decided not to proceed with the proposed investigations.

The inquiry is examining allegations that prohibited political donations linked to Mr Nassif were exchanged for political favours, including removing Mr Chandler as building commissioner and damaging Mr Elliott's career. Mr Chandler, Mr Elliott and Mr Hadley have not been accused of wrongdoing.

Mr De Kauwe also told the ICAC that he was asked to examine Mr Elliott's movements, social media activity, and potential "political vulnerabilities". He said Mr Maheswaran told him he wanted to "return serve" against Mr Elliott, whom he believed had "attacked" a friend and briefed the media against him.

"people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones"

When counsel assisting the commission Juliet Curtin asked what he took the phrase "return serve" to mean, Mr De Kauwe said that "people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones". "So, [Mr Maheswaran] was hoping Mr Elliott had maybe done some transgressions that he might not like in the media," Mr De Kauwe said.

The inquiry previously heard that Liberal operatives at the centre of the ICAC probe discussed photographs they believed could be used to suggest Mr Elliott was having an extramarital affair. Lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood told ICAC he did not believe the affair allegation was true, while former Liberal staffer Dylan Whitelaw also accepted that no such affair had occurred.

As part of his investigation, Mr De Kauwe said he was also asked to identify a woman Mr Maheswaran believed had previously met Mr Elliott during an alleged COVID-19 restrictions breach. During cross-examination by Mr Elliott's barrister Bruce Levet, Mr De Kauwe said he did not find any evidence that Mr Elliott breached COVID-19 restrictions or engage in any extramarital affair.

The commission heard the investigator used a ladder to install a camera overlooking the driveway of a unit complex to identify the woman's car. Presiding Commissioner Fabian Gleeson asked Mr De Kauwe if he had authority to install the camera, to which he replied: "Yes. Correct."

The inquiry heard Mr De Kauwe invoiced Toplace and charged a company owned by Mr Nassif for almost $15,000 for the work. The commission previously heard Mr Maheswaran engaged Mr De Kauwe to surveil former Strathfield mayor Matthew Blackmore for several months, with Toplace allegedly footing a $134,000 bill.