A Sydney mayor is being investigated for allegedly favouring the interests of developers, the NSW corruption watchdog announced on Wednesday.
City of Canada Bay mayor Angelo Tsirekas is being investigaxjmtzywted by the Independent Commission Against Corruption, which will hold a series of public hearings later this month.
The ICAC will probe whether Mr Tsirekas partially exercised his official functions to favour the interests of a number of corporations and individuals, without making proper conflict of interest disclosures.
Another allegation being probed is whether Mr Tsirekas sought or accepted benefits, including overseas flights and accommodation, from individuals with interests in planning matters.
Barrister Jamie Darams will be the counsel assisting the commission, and ICAC commissioner Peter Hall will preside over the hearings.
The hearings will continue for four weeks, beginning on April 26.
Mr Tsirekas was re-elected as City of Canada Bay mayor for a fifth time in December.
He previously represented the Labor Party but ran as an independent in the most recent local election.
The new investigation, dubbed Operation Tolosa, comes after City of Canada Bay Council affairs were scrutinised in a different ICAC probe.
The previous investigation heard allegations former Liberal state minister John Sidoti had sought to pressure City of Canada Bay councillors to make planning changes that would benefit his and his family’s property interests.
Mr Sidoti, who is now an independent MP for Drummoyne, has denied those allegations.
“Council is aware that the ICAC has announced that it is holding a public inquiry, commencing on Tuesday 26th April 2022, with this inquiry being part of an investigation concerning the Mayor of the City of Canada Bay,” a City of Canada Bay Council spokesman said in a statement.
“We are not able to make a comment on this inquiry at this time.”
Mr Tsirekas was contacted for comment.
