Former Strathfield mayor Matthew Blackmore told a New South Wales corruption inquiry that his children were secretly recorded during a family holiday as part of an alleged campaign of threats and blackmail.
Blackmore became tearful while giving evidence to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), which is examining potential breaches of electoral donation laws. The investigation, known as Operation Rosny, concerns allegations involving former councillor Sharangan Maheswaran and current councillor Karen Pensabene.
The inquiry heard that Blackmore had angered Labor councillors Maheswaran and Pensabene by withdrawing from a handshake agreement to give up the mayoralty part-way through his term. Blackmore said Pensabene wanted to become mayor during the March 2023 state election, but that he did not want to leave the position.
ICAC counsel assisting Hugo Wilesmith quoted an alleged threat from Maheswaran, who was said to have warned Blackmore that anyone who crossed him would be brought down. Blackmore told the inquiry he responded angrily.
The hearing also heard allegations that pressure on Blackmore escalated through defamatory flyers and unfavourable stories being provided to media. Wilesmith quoted a message from Pensabene saying matters would escalate if the two men did not meet and that what had happened so far was “less than 10 per cent” of what was coming.
Blackmore said he later learned he had been secretly recorded for five months, including while on a family holiday outside Sydney. He described the recording involving his children as one of the worst aspects of the alleged campaign. He also told ICAC that he had asked his wife to photograph Maheswaran’s car after seeing it near his street, because he feared he was being watched.
Blackmore eventually agreed to step down and support Pensabene as mayor while becoming her deputy. He later resigned as deputy mayor and privately notified ICAC about the alleged blackmail and surveillance, saying he no longer wanted to work with those involved.
Maheswaran is scheduled to give evidence on Friday, while Pensabene is expected to appear at a later date. The inquiry is due to hold eight weeks of public hearings.