Lebanese-based Jean Nassif delivers chaotic ICAC testimony, denies political payoffs

Jean Nassif, the former Toplace owner now hiding in the Lebanese village of Haref Ardeh, participated in the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption’s Operation Rosny inquiry via a video link from his Beirut bedroom. After postponing his appearance last week for health reasons, he arrived on Monday promising to “speak his heart,” then oscillated between vehement accusations and calm explanations. Nassif denied ever paying for political outcomes, arguing that any million-dollar offers to Liberal Party operatives were intended to defend his dignity and business.

He boasted in intercepted calls of wielding over half of the state government’s power and bragged about undermining former police minister David Elliott and building commissioner David Chandler. Counsel Dr Peggy Dwyer could not force him to answer, yet he volunteered to appear again, despite an Australian Federal Police warrant for his arrest. The collapse of Toplace has left roughly $2 billion in debts, leaving many apartment owners and small firms unlikely to recover their money, while the inquiry highlights alleged links between the developer and the Liberal Party’s right faction.