Fugitive property developer Jean Nassif clashed repeatedly with counsel during a New South Wales corruption inquiry on Tuesday, vocally challenging the proceedings and making allegations of corruption against government officials. Nassif appeared via video link from Beirut, where he is residing while avoiding Australian authorities.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is investigating claims that Nassif paid members of a hard-right Christian faction within the NSW Liberal Party, known as “the Reformers,” to undermine the careers of former minister David Elliott and former building commissioner David Chandler. According to the inquiry, Nassif viewed these officials as obstacles to his property development projects.

Central to the investigation are allegations that three Liberal Party affiliates—Jeremy Greenwood, Christian Ellis, and Charles Perrottet, brother of former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet—divided around $2 million in payments from Nassif. During the hearing, counsel assisting, Peggy Dwyer SC, questioned Nassif about a dinner at Melbourne’s Nobu restaurant attended by the three men and asked whether Nassif had spoken with Charles Perrottet about his concerns regarding Chandler.

Nassif responded with a lengthy and heated tirade accusing Chandler of corruption and pursuing a personal vendetta against him. When interrupted by Dwyer, he threatened to withdraw unless allowed to fully express his grievances. At times, the developer shouted and denied reading from prepared notes, accusing the inquiry of attempting to portray him as corrupt, and alleging that government officials were the real corrupt actors.

Commissioner Fabian Gleeson SC intervened several times, urging Nassif to remain calm and cooperate. Despite this, Nassif accused what he described as a “deep state” controlling the country and insisted he had not paid for political influence aimed at installing the favored faction into power. Instead, he said payments were made to a lobbying firm, Beckington, formerly run by Greenwood, to support his developments.

Nassif acknowledged that Charles Perrottet had encouraged him to continue funding the group but described Perrottet as “unfit and not capable” of resolving his governmental difficulties. A telephone intercept introduced during the inquiry captured Nassif shortly after Dominic Perrottet became premier, referring to him as “my best friend” and claiming that approvals for development applications (DAs) would be granted regularly.

When asked if he had expected DAs to be routinely approved and for Chandler to be removed following Dominic Perrottet’s appointment, Nassif said he had thought so but admitted these outcomes did not materialize. The inquiry continues to examine the extent and nature of alleged corrupt payments and political influence linked to Nassif’s property developments.