Sydney mayor allegedly threatened and children secretly recorded after he refused to step down, Icac hears
Summary
A Sydney mayor, Matthew Blackmore, told the New South Wales corruption watchdog that he was threatened and secretly watched after he refused to step down as mayor as part of a political deal. The inquiry is looking into whether former Labor councillors Sharangan Maheswaran and Karen Pensabene harassed or spied on Blackmore to pressure him to resign.Key Facts
- Matthew Blackmore was the independent mayor of Strathfield council in Sydney.
- He had an initial agreement to step down so a Labor councillor would take over but changed his mind.
- Blackmore said Labor councillor Sharangan Maheswaran threatened to damage his reputation if he did not resign.
- Maheswaran allegedly sent people to secretly follow Blackmore and record his conversations, including surveillance of his children.
- Karen Pensabene warned Blackmore of “attack flyers” spreading negative information about him.
- Blackmore received media inquiries and felt his safety was threatened after refusing to step down.
- Maheswaran claimed the harassment would stop if Blackmore resigned as mayor.
- The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) is investigating these events under Operation Rosny.
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