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Eddie Obeid to be prosecuted over Circular Quay corruption allegations Eddie Obeid to be prosecuted over Circular Quay corruption allegations
(34 minutes later)
Former New South Wales Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid has been served with a notice to appear in court to be prosecuted for misconduct in public office.Former New South Wales Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid has been served with a notice to appear in court to be prosecuted for misconduct in public office.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) served the notice to Obeid on Thursday afternoon after the former Labor minister Ian Macdonald was informed he was being prosecuted over corrupt conduct.The Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) served the notice to Obeid on Thursday afternoon after the former Labor minister Ian Macdonald was informed he was being prosecuted over corrupt conduct.
Obeid is accused of influencing the Maritime Authority of NSW to deal favourably with Circular Quay Restaurants Pty Ltd, a company of which his family was the effective owner, over the company’s restaurant tenancies at Sydney’s Circular Quay.Obeid is accused of influencing the Maritime Authority of NSW to deal favourably with Circular Quay Restaurants Pty Ltd, a company of which his family was the effective owner, over the company’s restaurant tenancies at Sydney’s Circular Quay.
On Thursday afternoon Obeid told media outside his home he would plead not guilty.On Thursday afternoon Obeid told media outside his home he would plead not guilty.
“I have no concern whatsoever that in a court of law we’ll be able to fight the evidence and I’m very confident,” he told the ABC.
Various investigations have made numerous corruption findings against Obeid. Icac found Obeid acted corruptly by lobbying former ministers and the Maritime Authority to extend the restaurant and cafe leases at Circular Quay.Various investigations have made numerous corruption findings against Obeid. Icac found Obeid acted corruptly by lobbying former ministers and the Maritime Authority to extend the restaurant and cafe leases at Circular Quay.
Obeid did not disclose his interests and his sons’ interests in the cafes while lobbying for them, the commission found. He also accepted a $50,000 donation to the Australian Labor party from other leaseholders on the understanding their interests would be looked after by the then-Labor state government, it found.Obeid did not disclose his interests and his sons’ interests in the cafes while lobbying for them, the commission found. He also accepted a $50,000 donation to the Australian Labor party from other leaseholders on the understanding their interests would be looked after by the then-Labor state government, it found.
In November Obeid told the commission he had not disclosed his sons’ interests in the business because he wanted his lobbying to be taken on “merit”.In November Obeid told the commission he had not disclosed his sons’ interests in the business because he wanted his lobbying to be taken on “merit”.
A court attendance notice was served to Obeid on the advice from the NSW director of public prosecutions (DPP).A court attendance notice was served to Obeid on the advice from the NSW director of public prosecutions (DPP).
The matter is listed for mention at the Downing Centre local court on 18 December.The matter is listed for mention at the Downing Centre local court on 18 December.
Macdonald faces prosecution over granting a coal mining exploration licence in the Hunter valley to Doyles Creek Mining, a company owned by former mining union official John Maitland, without putting out a tender.Macdonald faces prosecution over granting a coal mining exploration licence in the Hunter valley to Doyles Creek Mining, a company owned by former mining union official John Maitland, without putting out a tender.
Macdonald announced the mine in a press release on Christmas Eve 2008 and Maitland made $15m from a $160,000 investment.Macdonald announced the mine in a press release on Christmas Eve 2008 and Maitland made $15m from a $160,000 investment.
Icac found Macdonald acted corruptly, for the third time, over the approval in a report handed down last year.Icac found Macdonald acted corruptly, for the third time, over the approval in a report handed down last year.
Maitland is also being prosecuted for two counts of being an accessory before the fact to misconduct in public office and for giving false and misleading evidence to Icac.Maitland is also being prosecuted for two counts of being an accessory before the fact to misconduct in public office and for giving false and misleading evidence to Icac.