SIDELINED MINISTER DENIES BEING ‘INSTRUMENTAL’ IN SHAM COMPANY AT ICAC

PHOTO: Outside the ICAC. 

Sidelined NSW minister Chris Hartcher has rejected suggestions he was “instrumental” in setting up a sham company for political donations in the ICAC today.

Mr Hartcher appeared before the commission to reject claims by the commission that he had masterminded a Liberal slush fund scheme and used his nephew’s law firm to launder $4000 in donations.

The ICAC has been investigating the company set up by Mr Hartcher’s former staffer Tim Koelma which allegedly issued fake
invoices to disguise political donations from property developers.

The former resources minister, who resigned from cabinet after ICAC officers raided his office late last year, also rejected
allegations he asked staffer Ray Carter – whose partner’s company Mickey Tech is said to have been used as a conduit in the alleged cheque-laundering scam – to lie to the corruption watchdog.

Details NBN News at six.