BY DAKOTA TAIT
The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has released a new report today, finding four individuals took part in corrupt conduct as part of a scheme involving properties owned by the Awakabal Local Aboriginal Land Council (ALALC).
The Investigation into dealings involving Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council land report examined the conduct of former tax official Nicholas Petroulias, solicitor Despina Bakis, as well as former chairperson Debbie Dates and former deputy chairperson Richard Green from ALALC.
The report alleges that Mr Petroulias falsely represented that his company had an option to purchase ALALC properties around Newcastle and Lake Macquarie to on-sell to another party, with Ms Bakis preparing false contractual documents to that end.
Ms Bakis was also a solicitor for the ALALC at the time, a conflict of interest which was not declared.
The purported option was then supposedly sold to a third party for more than $1 million.
While the third party was told the money would go to the ALALC, Mr Petroulias received more than $600,000, while Mr Green and Ms Bakis received financial benefits totalling $244,000 and $179,000 respectively.
The sale did not have the required legal approval of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, and Mr Green and Ms Dates signed the contractual agreements on behalf of the ALALC, despite not having the authority to do.
Other ALALC members were not aware of the transaction.
ICAC is seeking advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions on whether to commence prosecution and lay criminal charges.
The ALALC and the NSW Aboriginal Land Council are also facing a number of corruption prevention recommendations.
