No plea from corrupt former NSW MP Maguire

The ex-boyfriend of former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian faces ongoing court proceedings, charged with lying to the state’s corruption watchdog over his business dealings.

Former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire did not enter a plea when the matter was mentioned at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Monday.

He is charged with giving false or misleading evidence at a public inquiry, stemming from his communications with former Canterbury councillor Michael Hawatt about the sale of a property in Sydney’s southwest.

Maguire denied to the Independent Commission Against Corruption that he had sought or would receive any financial benefit for his role in brokering a deal linked to the property.

But he was caught on phone taps asking for payment if he secured millions of dollars in investment from a Chinese developer.

The commission later recommended Maguire face criminal charges over his evidence.

His July 2018 testimony was given during Operation Dasha, which investigated whether former councillors dishonestly exercised their official functions over planning proposals and applications.

The watchdog made findings of serious corrupt conduct against several former councillors, including Mr Hawatt, and recommended the Director of Public Prosecutions be consulted regarding charges against six people.

Maguire resigned from NSW Parliament in 2018 after the separate Operation Keppel ICAC investigation began into his improper use of his role as an MP to benefit a company in which he had a financial interest.

That inquiry later exposed his secret “close personal relationship” with Ms Berejiklian, which led to the then-premier’s resignation.

In June, ICAC found Maguire had engaged in serious corrupt conduct over a number of years for his dealings related to the company.

The criminal matter is next listed for mention on October 12.