DistantNews
Support us
🇦🇺 Australia /Crime & Justice

Council Executive Breaks Down Over 'Public Shaming' at Corruption Inquiry

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • A senior executive at Parramatta Council, Roxanne Thornton, broke down during questioning by the NSW corruption watchdog ICAC.
  • Thornton admitted to manipulating the recruitment process to hire friends and associates, including sending interview questions in advance and editing CVs.
  • She expressed distress over the "public shaming" and her impending job loss, while the council's lawyer questioned if her personal trust issues excused her breaches.

Roxanne Thornton, a senior executive at Parramatta Council, became visibly distressed, breaking down in tears during four days of questioning by the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). Thornton, who holds the role of group manager for the Office of the Lord Mayor and CEO, admitted to manipulating the council's recruitment process to favor friends and associates.

I've admitted to everything, but this public shaming … you should all be f***ing ashamed of yourselves.

· Roxanne ThorntonA senior executive at Parramatta Council, expressing distress during ICAC questioning.

Her admissions included sending interview questions and model answers to candidates beforehand, editing their CVs and cover letters, and in one instance, ensuring a salary increase in an offer letter. Thornton stated that her inability to trust people motivated her to recruit individuals she already knew and had previously worked with. She repeatedly claimed that former chief executive officer Gail Connolly, with whom she was part of a group known as the "Pink Ladies," was unaware of her hiring practices.

During the inquiry, Arthur Moses SC, the lawyer representing Parramatta Council, questioned Thornton on whether her personal trust issues served as an excuse for breaching her obligations. Sobbing, she responded affirmatively. "I've admitted to everything, but this public shaming … you should all be f***ing ashamed of yourselves," she stated, adding, "You just keep kicking me. I know I'm gonna lose my job. I've done the wrong thing."

You just keep kicking me. I know I'm gonna lose my job. I've done the wrong thing.

· Roxanne ThorntonA senior executive at Parramatta Council, reacting to the ongoing ICAC inquiry.

Chief Commissioner John Hatzistergos offered Thornton a break, which she initially declined, urging him to "Just keep laying the boot in." Although excused, her summons has not been fully discharged, leaving open the possibility of her being recalled. Thornton's testimony preceded that of Anna Svorinic, Marina Cavar, and Heidi Wenham, who are also set to testify before the commission regarding their recruitment.

Just keep laying the boot in.

· Roxanne ThorntonA senior executive at Parramatta Council, responding to an offer of a break during ICAC questioning.
About this summary

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog