An ex-councillor and a property developer have joined disgraced ex-MP Daryl Maguire in court over accusations they lied to ICAC during an investigation into corruption at a Sydney council.
Lawyers for former Canterbury councillor Michael Hawatt, 72, appeared briefly at Downing Centre Local Court alongside those representing Maguire, 64, and real estate developer Charbel Demian, 60, on Thursday.
Hawatt and Demian are accused of giving false or misleading information to the Independent Commission Against Corruption during a hearing in November 2016, while Maguire is accused of lying in June 2018.
ICAC was investigating allegations of corruption in Canterbury council and whether former councillors dishonestly exercised their official functions over planning proposals and applications.
Maguire denied to the watchdog that he had sought or would receive any financial benefit for his role in brokering a deal linked to a local property.
But he was caught on phone taps asking for payment if he secured millions of dollars in investment from a Chinese developer.
Hawatt faces three charges over alleged lies to ICAC, which include claims he had not sought a commission from Maguire or that he had not had contact with Demian prior to the sale of the property.
Demian faces one charge, accused of hiding his communications with Hawatt regarding the property.
A brief of evidence has been partially served on all three accused who will next appear at Downing Centre on November 27.
ICAC made findings of serious corrupt conduct against several former councillors, including Hawatt, and recommended the Director of Public Prosecutions be consulted regarding charges against six people.
Former Wagga Wagga MP 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 Gladys Berejiklian, which led to the then-premier's resignation.
