# NSW Liberal Party ICAC probe expands to payments and tactics > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nsw-liberal-party-icac-corruption-probe > Updated: 2026-08-09T19:00:00.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 8. Operation Rosny, the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry launched in early July 2026, began by examining alleged illegal donations, council‑stacking and related misconduct involving the state Liberal Party. Initial focus was on claims that former premier Dominic Perrottet and fugitive developer Jean Nassif solicited prohibited donations and colluded to install favourable councillors in the Hills Shire and other councils. By late July the probe broadened to scrutinise invoice and contract relationships between Catholic Schools NSW and Liberal operatives, as well as accusations that former Strathfield councillors employed private investigators. Senior figures, including Damien Tudehope, stepped down from the front bench, increasing pressure on leader Kellie Sloane. On 26 July documents obtained by the Herald showed five sitting Liberal MPs had voted in October 2021 for a factional motion that placed council candidates in the Hills Shire outside normal pre‑selection, linking them to alleged payments from Nassif to power‑brokers such as Christian Ellis. The following day police presented intercepted WhatsApp messages indicating Nassif attempted to use contacts, including the Perrottet brothers, to remove Building Commissioner David Chandler and undermine former police minister David Elliott, and disclosed a $2 million payment to Liberal operatives. On 29 July, former Catholic Schools employee Dylan Whitelaw testified that Liberal operatives prepared a “dirt sheet” alleging an extramarital affair by former minister David Elliott to further Nassif’s interests. He also described a coordinated effort, involving former chief of staff Chris Spence and fair‑trading minister Eleni Petinos, to damage Chandler with a video accusing him of racism. In early August, Jean-Claude Perrottet testified that he received various payments from the "Reformers" faction accounts and monthly invoices from a company called Beckington for unknown work. He also disclosed that Nassif had offered $100,000 to a Perrottet brother for political purposes. ## Claims - A dirt sheet alleging an extramarital affair by former police minister David Elliott was prepared by members of the NSW Liberal Reformers faction. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The dirt sheet was intended to further the interests of fugitive Sydney developer Jean Nassif. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Dylan Whitelaw testified before the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption about the creation of the dirt sheet. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Whitelaw described the actions as standard factional warfare. (corroborated by 3 sources) - A video accusing building commissioner David Chandler of racism and linking him to a list of certifiers and developers was circulated by senior ministerial staff. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Chris Spence, former chief of staff to then‑planning minister Anthony Roberts, sought to have Eleni Petinos raise the video in a budget estimates hearing. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Reformers group successfully took control of the Coffs Harbour Liberal branch in July 2018. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is investigating illegal donations and branch stacking. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Dallas McInerney is a person of interest in an ICAC inquiry regarding the potential use of Catholic Schools NSW funds to bankroll the Reformers. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Hotelier Michael O’Hara donated $25,000 to the Reformers. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Reformers allegedly plotted to replace Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells with Dallas McInerney. (corroborated by 3 sources) - David Elliott retired from politics in 2023 after his seat was abolished. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-09: Reformers group under ICAC investigation for Liberal Party branch stacking The ICAC is investigating the Reformers, a right-wing group accused of branch stacking and illegal donations within the Liberal Party, including potential misuse of Catholic Schools NSW funds. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/reformers-group-under-icac-investigation-for-liberal-party-branch-stacking ### 2026-08-05: Jean-Claude Perrottet questioned by ICAC over factional payments, fugitive developer link NSW ICAC questioned Jean-Claude Perrottet, brother of ex‑premier Dominic Perrottet, about payments from the Reformers faction and a $100 k offer from fugitive developer Jean Nassif, amid a probe into illegal de 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jean-claude-perrottet-faces-nsw-corruption-probe-over-illegal-donations ### 2026-07-29: NSW ICAC probe uncovers factional dirt sheet targeting former police minister David Elliott ICAC heard that NSW Liberal faction operatives prepared a dirt sheet on former police minister David Elliott and a video targeting building commissioner David Chandler, both aimed at advancing developer Jean Nâ 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nsw-icac-probe-uncovers-factional-dirt-sheet-targeting-former-police-minister-david-elliott ### 2026-07-27: Jean Nassif corruption scheme exposed in NSW Liberal Party ICAC hearings reveal developer Jean Nassif paid $2 million to Liberal operatives, including the Perrottet brothers, to oust Building Commissioner David Chandler and damage rival politicians in NSW. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jean-nassif-corruption-scheme-exposed-in-nsw-liberal-party ### 2026-07-26: NSW Liberal MPs' council deal becomes focus of ICAC corruption inquiry Five NSW Liberal MPs backed a 2021 factional deal to install Hills Shire councillors; the move now under ICAC investigation for alleged links to fugitive developer Jean Nassif and alleged payments of “signific‑​ 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nsw-liberal-mps-council-deal-becomes-focus-of-icac-corruption-inquiry ### 2026-07-24: NSW Liberal branch‑stacking scandal implicates Christian Ellis, Sussan Ley and Carmelite nuns Christian Ellis allegedly signed Carmelite nuns to the NSW Liberal Party to stack branches and oust Sussan Ley; ICAC's Operation Rosny is probing the scheme and links to developer Jean Nassif. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nsw-liberal-branchstacking-scandal-implicates-christian-ellis-sussan-ley-and-carmelite-nuns ### 2026-07-24: NSW Liberal Party faces ICAC corruption probe ICAC is probing deep ties between NSW Catholic schools, Liberal operatives and developers, prompting resignations and calls for senior Liberals to quit. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nsw-liberal-party-faces-icac-corruption-probe ### 2026-07-01: NSW ICAC launches inquiry into Liberal Party donation and council‑stacking scandal NSW ICAC will investigate alleged illegal donations, branch‑stacking and council manipulation involving former premier’s brother Jean‑Claude Perrottet, developer Jean Nassif and Liberal Party insiders. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nsw-icac-launches-inquiry-into-liberal-party-donation-and-councilstacking-scandal --- Cite as: NSW Liberal Party ICAC probe expands to payments and tactics. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nsw-liberal-party-icac-corruption-probe