Former MP Daryl Maguire has been charged with criminal conspiracy over an alleged visa fraud under way while he was sitting in the New South Wales parliament.
The former Wagga Wagga MP, who was previously in a relationship with ex-premier Gladys Berejiklian, is accused of conspiring with migration agent Maggie Sining Logan between January 2013 and August 2015.
Federal prosecutors allege he conspired with Logan to have false or misleading documents to be furnished for official purposes in connection with non-citizens’ visas.
Maguire’s case was mentioned in Sydney’s Downing Centre local court on Tuesday. It was adjourned to 7 February to allow prosecutors to serve the brief of evidence.
He has not yet entered a plea. His lawyer has been contacted for comment.
There is no suggestion Berejiklian was involved.
In a statement to the Guardian, the Australian Border Force confirmed it had conducted an “extensive investigation” into alleged visa and migration fraud.
“The Australian Border Force (ABF) can confirm that on 7 November 2022, a male person of interest was served with a notice to appear before court on 29 November 2022,” a spokesperson said.
“This follows an extensive investigation undertaken by the ABF associated with alleged visa and migration fraud, which also resulted in the arrest and charging of a female person of interest on 4 November 2022.”
“As these matters remain subject to legal proceedings, it would not be appropriate to comment further.”
The Department of Home Affairs has previously told Senate estimates that it was investigating the alleged cash-for-visa scheme.
Secretary Michael Pezzullo said his department had been working with Icac and that visas granted due to false credentials or fraudulent information “as a general principle they will be cancelled”.
In a statement, the commonwealth director of public prosecutions confirmed Maguire had been charged with “one offence of conspiracy to cause to be furnished false documents and false or misleading information etc. relating to non-citizens”.
The CDPP also said a bail condition had been imposed on Maguire requiring him to surrender his passport.
