The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption will hold a public inquiry in relation to serious allegations against former Parramatta Council staff.
The allegations relate to former Chief Executive Officer Gail Connolly, council employees Angela Jones-Blayney and Roxanne Thornton and other City of Parramatta Council staff.
The inquiry is slated for Monday, May 11.
The Commission is investigating whether, since April 2023, Connolly and other City of Parramatta Council staff partially exercised their official functions by:
• intentionally subverting proper processes, and misusing council systems and information, to conduct targeted electronic surveillance and conduct investigations on staff and a councillor for personal advantage or in order to benefit friends and associates and/or for reprisal action
• terminating staff in circumstances that constituted a partial and/or dishonest exercise of their public official functions, for reprisal action or personal advantage or in order to benefit friends and associates.
The Commission is further investigating whether Connolly, Jones-Blayney, Thornton and other City of Parramatta Council staff partially exercised their official functions by intentionally subverting recruitment and promotion processes in order to benefit friends and associates.
The Commission is also investigating whether Connolly and other City of Parramatta Council staff engaged in conduct that constitutes a breach of public trust by:
• misusing public funds to facilitate the exit of City of Parramatta Council staff through deeds of release for personal advantage or to benefit others
• misusing council information acquired in the course of their official functions by disclosing confidential information to third parties for personal advantage.
In a statement issued this afternoon, City of Parramatta said it was unable to comment on the matters specifically.
“As there is an active and ongoing inquiry underway, City of Parramatta Council will not be making any further comments in relation to the matter during this time,” the statement said.
“Council remains focused on delivering on our commitments to the community and making Parramatta the best place to live, work and play.”
Chief Commissioner the Hon John Hatzistergos AM will preside at the public inquiry.
Connelly departed her top role at Council in October last year.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.