Inquiry told lobby firm invented fictitious employee to mask payments

A consultant has told an anti-corruption hearing that

A consultant has told an anti-corruption hearing that a lobbying business, accused of funnelling prohibited donations toward factional activities within the Liberal Party, fabricated an imaginary staff member known as ‘Jessica’ to conceal its operations.

Jeremy Greenwood, a consultant and lobbyist, returned for a second day of testimony on Tuesday before the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) as part of Operation Rosny, which is examining claims tied to the Christian Liberal network.

The revelation emerged during questioning about how the firm managed its internal records and financial transactions, with Greenwood acknowledging that the fictional assistant was used in correspondence and documentation, according to evidence presented at the hearing.

Icac’s inquiry is focusing on whether donations were

Icac’s inquiry is focusing on whether donations were accepted in breach of electoral laws and then directed to support internal party factional battles, an allegation the firm has not yet publicly addressed in detail.

Greenwood’s testimony is seen as pivotal to understanding the flow of money and the creation of a paper trail that may have been designed to obscure the true nature of the payments, the commission heard.

The hearing continues, with further witnesses expected to appear as Icac seeks to determine whether the actions crossed into corrupt conduct under New South Wales legislation.