Former Sydney councillor received 'bags of cash' in bribes from Chinese developer, ICAC told
A former Sydney councillor has told the anti-corruption watchdog he accepted bribes of $170,000 from a Chinese developer in exchange for his support of two major development proposals.
Key points:
Vincenzo Badalati told ICAC he received cash from a developer as a 'thank you' for voting in support of one project
He and fellow councillor Constantine Hindi also received money ahead of a vote on another project
The inquiry heard both men travelled to China frequently and the developers often paid for their meals
On Tuesday, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) began its public hearings into the conduct of former Georges River councillors Constantine Hindi, Vincenzo Badalati and Philip Sansom as part of Operation Galley.
All three councillors served on Hurstville Council, before it merged with Kogarah Council to form Georges River Council in 2016.
They are alleged to have accepted benefits for helping Chinese developers get planning proposals approved for two major developments in Hurstville — the $29 million Treacy Street project (an 11-storey mixed-use apartment block) and the Landmark Square development (a complex of 19-storey residential buildings).
The projects were by developers Ching Wah (Philip) Uy, Wensheng Liu and Yuqing Liu and required councillors to make exceptions to the seven-storey building restriction in the area.
Former councillor Vincenzo Badalati told the inquiry on Tuesday Mr Uy gave him $70,000 for assisting with the Treacy Street project and another $100,000 for the Landmark Square development.
Mr Badalati detailed the day in 2015 when he met Mr Uy at a coffee shop in Kingsgrove and received $70,000 for the Treacy Street development, which he voted in favour of in 2014.
"He [Mr Uy] got a bag out and handed it to me and said 'thank you for your help on Treacy Street'," Mr Badalati told the inquiry.
"I saw the money when I got home. They were all bundled hundred-dollar notes. I put it in my safe. I told Constantine Hindi."
The other cash gift of $100,000 was handed over at a park in Rhodes in 2016 during a meeting between Mr Badalati, Mr Hindi and Mr Uy.
The money was intended to guarantee the councillors' favourable vote on the Landmark Square development.
"He [Mr Uy] opened his boot and gave us two bags each," Mr Badalati said.
"He said 'thank you for your assistance on Landmark'.
"Some went into the bank and some were spent."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-14/icac-inquiry-into-former-hurstville-councillors/101150322