Fugitive Developer Called Former NSW Premier His ‘Boy’ in Secret Recordings

Jean Nassif described former New South Wales premier Dominic Perrottet as his “boy” in a phone recording played before the state’s corruption watchdog, offering a glimpse into the fugitive developer’s claimed political influence.

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boy

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption is examining whether donations linked to Nassif were exchanged for political favours. One alleged objective was the removal of former NSW building commissioner David Chandler and an end to his investigations into Nassif’s developments.

In a call with a family member made shortly before Perrottet became premier, Nassif claimed he could secure his preferred minister and use that position to “step on f***ing David Chandler and get rid of him”. The recording was played during Charles Perrottet’s fifth day of evidence as the inquiry examines whether he used Liberal Party connections to advance Nassif’s business interests.

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step on f***ing David Chandler and get rid of him

The inquiry also heard that Nassif sought Charles Perrottet’s help in pressuring his brother, who was treasurer at the time. In a July 2021 text, Charles Perrottet told friend and person of interest Christian Ellis that Nassif wanted Dominic Perrottet to tell Chandler to issue an occupation certificate for a Toplace development, “or he’ll have problems”. Charles Perrottet described the request as “extremely ICAC worthy” and, under questioning, agreed that it sounded “like a threat”.

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extremely ICAC worthy

He said he would not have called his brother to deliver the demand and denied trying to protect him from trouble connected to Nassif. The inquiry heard no suggestion that Dominic Perrottet knew about the request. Text messages also showed Charles Perrottet telling Nassif he had spoken with upper-house MPs about seeking government documents through a parliamentary order.

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like a threat