A former business associate of Daryl Maguire's has admitted to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) that she lied to investigators and destroyed correspondence between her and the former MP.
Key points:
- An emotional Maggie Wang has told the ICAC she destroyed correspondence between her and Daryl Maguire
- Ms Wang says she encouraged businessmen involved in a "cash-for-visa" scheme to mislead the inquiry
- The migration agent said Mr Maguire told her that his phones and iPad had been "run over by a tractor"
The ICAC is investigating whether the former Member for Wagga Wagga used his position for personal gain.
Ms Wang, a migration agent, told the inquiry she had previously lied to ICAC investigators and took steps to encourage others to do the same.
She shed a tear as she concluded her second full day of evidence and explained the emotional toll the investigation has had on her.
"I was panicked, I was ashamed, I couldn’t cope, I just feel like it was a disaster," she said.
Ms Wang told the ICAC she worked with Mr Maguire on numerous projects, including a property deal, an oil technology deal and a migration scheme.
She said while she did share profits from the migration scheme, the other projects fell through.
Counsel assisting the ICAC, Scott Robertson, asked what she would have done if the other deals had been successful.
"If the money was made before he retired from Parliament you would have shared with him the money immediately, is that right?" Mr Robertson said.
"Yes," Ms Wang replied.
"Just like you did with the immigration?" Mr Robertson said.
"Yes," Ms Wang said.
Migration scheme cover-up
In evidence previously given at the inquiry, Ms Wang said she gave Mr Maguire tens of thousands of dollars in envelopes at Parliament House as payment for his role in a "cash-for-visa" scheme.
The inquiry heard Mr Maguire's role was to find regional businesses to sponsor the visa applicants.
The NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian yesterday told the commission she had been in a secret, five-year relationship with Mr Maguire, and was "beyond shocked" when she recently found out about the scheme.
"Disgusted, shocked, disgusted, let down," Ms Berejiklian said.
Today Ms Wang said she "panicked" when she found out the ICAC was investigating the scheme.
She admitted to telling one business owner to lie about receiving cash payments and encouraged another to tell investigators he thought the scheme was legitimate.
"I just feel panicked, I didn't want to get involved in all of this," Ms Wang said.
She said she deleted some correspondence between her and Mr Maguire at his request, and that he told her he no longer had a number of electronic devices.
"He said something like, 'There's been an unfortunate accident where my phones and iPad have been run over by a tractor,'" she said.
Meetings arranged in Parliament House
Earlier today the inquiry heard Mr Maguire organised meetings in Parliament House for a Chinese business investor to discuss business opportunities with consulate officials.
It heard Mr Maguire was trying to help businessman Ho Yuen Li, who wanted to invest in the South Pacific.
Maggie Wang took minutes at the meetings and said Honorary Consuls and Consulate-Generals for several South Pacific countries attended the Parliament House meetings.
The inquiry heard Mr Maguire also offered to set up a meeting for Mr Li with the Prime Minister of Samoa.
Daryl Maguire is expected to give evidence over two days from tomorrow.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiamh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIwLTEwLTEzL2RhcnlsLW1hZ3VpcmUtaWNhYy1oZWFyaW5nLXdpdG5lc3MtYWRtaXRzLWx5aW5nLXRvLWlucXVpcnkvMTI3NDc4NTTSASdodHRwczovL2FtcC5hYmMubmV0LmF1L2FydGljbGUvMTI3NDc4NTQ?oc=5
2020-10-13 05:24:00Z
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