In Australia, former Strathfield mayor says his children were secretly recorded
In Australia, former Strathfield mayor Matthew Blackmore told a hearing of the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) that he learned about secret recordings of his children during a family holiday. According to him, this may have been part of a campaign of threats and blackmail aimed at making him leave the position of mayor.
As ABC News Australia reports, the hearings are being held as part of an investigation codenamed Operation Rosny. The commission is examining possible breaches of electoral donation laws.
Claims of pressure
ICAC is considering claims that former Strathfield councillor Sharangan Maheswaran and current councillor Karen Pensabene allegedly blackmailed and monitored Blackmore in 2023, when he was mayor. The hearing was told that Labor members Maheswaran and Pensabene were dissatisfied that Blackmore had withdrawn from an informal arrangement to hand the mayoral position to Pensabene midway through his term.
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Blackmore said Pensabene wanted to become mayor during the state election in March 2023, but he did not want to leave the position. ICAC counsel Hugo Wilesmith told the hearing that Maheswaran allegedly told Blackmore he could “destroy” him in about six weeks.
Secret recordings
According to Blackmore, he later learned that he had been secretly recorded for five months, including during a family holiday outside Sydney. He also said he asked his wife to photograph Maheswaran's car on their street because he feared he was being watched.
Ultimately, Blackmore agreed to step down as mayor and support Pensabene, becoming her deputy. He later privately informed ICAC about the alleged blackmail and surveillance, and also resigned as deputy mayor. His further appearance at the hearing was scheduled for Tuesday; Maheswaran is due to testify on Friday, and Pensabene later.
