Private investigator alerts police to alleged $5 million extortion scheme involving former building commissioner

At a recent ICAC hearing, private investigator Shane De Kauwe recounted giving a covert recording pen to Jean Nassif’s lawyer Sharangan Maheswaran, which was used to tape a discussion in which two men alluded to a $5 million extortion attempt allegedly tied to former building commissioner David Chandler. De Kauwe told the commission that, while he did not think Chandler was responsible, the allegations needed police attention; Nassif declined to file a complaint, so De Kauwe contacted a police friend and lodged one himself.

He also disclosed supplying similar listening devices to Liberal operative Jeremy Greenwood, who held a government-relations contract with the firm Toplace. De Kauwe described Maheswaran as his close friend and said he saw no conflict in assisting him. The inquiry also touched on De Kauwe’s surveillance of former police minister David Elliott at Maheswaran’s request, including review of Elliott’s social-media activity. Throughout, De Kauwe emphasized that covert recordings are legal for parties to a conversation but may not be admissible in court.