Drummoyne MP John Sidoti has been found to have engaged in serious corrupt conduct using his position to influence local councilors to benefit his family’s property interests.
On Wednesday, the corruption control body said Sidoti tried to unduly influence the Liberal councilors of the city of Canada Bay between late 2013 and early 2017.
Drummoyne MP John Sidoti leaves the ICAC in Sydney in April. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
The Independent Commission against Corruption is seeking advice from the director of the Public Prosecutor’s Office on whether to initiate criminal proceedings.
“The commission is of the opinion that consideration should be given to obtaining the DPP’s advice regarding the prosecution of Mr Sidoti for the crime of misconduct in a public office,” his statement said on Wednesday.
The ICAC conducted a public inquiry in April last year to investigate whether Sidoti, who was previously in the Liberal Party but now occupies the cross-party bench, had misused his position as a Member of Parliament.
The investigation focused on Sidoti’s lobby to redistribute the Five Dock blocks, where his parents owned properties, although experts found it was not in the public interest. It also examined whether Sidoti violated public confidence by not disclosing pecuniary interests between 2011 and 2019.
Properties on Great North Road, Five Dock linked to Drummoyne MP John Sidoti. Credit: Sam Mooy
For four weeks, the commission heard evidence from former Liberal councilors, party power Joe Tannous, Sidoti-linked town planners, his accountant and his wife. None of the witnesses were investigated for the investigation.
Sidoti has dismissed allegations that he fostered a “master-server” relationship with councilors and threatened their jobs if they did not vote in favor of his family’s agenda. He also denied that he intended to evict the councilors from the pre-election as remuneration.