Jeff McCloy
The property developer and former Newcastle lord mayor described feeling like a “walking ATM” prior to the 2011 state election, when he gave donations to Mr Owen, Mr Cornwell and Mr Edwards. Unsuccessfully tried to stop the ICAC releasing any findings about him by arguing to the NSW Supreme Court that the corruption watchdog acted with a predetermined "case theory" during the inquiry. Mr McCloy released a statement on Tuesday saying he would not comment on the Operation Spicer findings until he and his lawyers had reviewed its findings. He was found to have acted with the intention of evading election funding laws relating to disclosure of political donations and the ban on donations from property developers. Also found to have acted with the intention of evading election funding laws relating to caps on political donations. Not corrupt.
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Hilton Grugeon
The Maitland developer admitted to paying $10,000 for radio personality Luke Grant to work on former MP Tim Owen’s election campaign. Mr Grugeon also agreed he paid former MP Andrew Cornwell $10,120 for a painting by Newcastle artist Rex Newell. Mr Newell said the painting was worth “no more than $3000”. He was found to have acted with the intention of evading election funding laws relating to disclosure of political donations and the ban on donations from property developers. Also found to have acted with the intention of evading election funding laws relating to caps on political donations. Not corrupt.
Tim Owen
Resigned from parliament when he revealed he had received donations from developers Jeff McCloy and Hilton Grugeon. Once the golden boy of the Liberal Party after he led the sweeping victory through the Hunter in 2011, Mr Owen was found to have been lying about his knowledge and involvement with the illegal donations scheme. He was found to have acted with the intention of evading election funding laws relating to disclosure of political donations and the ban on donations from property developers. Also found to have acted with the intention of evading election funding laws relating to caps on political donations. Not corrupt.
Andrew Cornwell
The once and future Charlestown vet resigned from parliament after he admitted to receiving $10,000 in the back of Mr McCloy’s Bentley, and a similar sum from Grugeon for a painting even the artist didn’t rate that highly. During the inquiry Mr Cornwell told the ICAC the painting was supposed to be a gift, but Mr Grugeon disputed his evidence, instead calling it “patronage”. He was found to have acted with the intention of evading election funding laws relating to disclosure of political donations and the ban on donations from property developers. Not corrupt, but Mr Cornwell and his wife, Samantha Brookes, may face criminal charges for giving “false or misleading evidence to the Commission.
Craig Baumann
The former member for Port Stephens joined his colleagues on the crossbenches after admitting to the ICAC that he had accepted almost $80,000 in donations from developers Jeff McCloy and Hilton Grugeon before the 2007 election and concealed the source of the money. Developers were not banned from donating until late 2009, but Mr Baumann, after initially apologising for the error, agreed at the inquiry that he hid the developers' identities as they both stood to profit from a housing development at Wallalong. Found to have acted with the intention of evading election funding laws relating to disclosure of political donations. Not corrupt.
Garry Edwards
Moved to the cross benches after being named by Jeff McCloy at the Independent Commission Against Corruption hearings in September as having accepted a donation of between $1500 and $1800 - "whatever was in my wallet" - from the former Newcastle lord mayor and developer. Unsuccessfully contested the 2015 election as an independent, after his Liberal Party membership was revoked, and accused the party of "bullying", "intimidation", and using him "as a political pawn". He was found to have acted with the intention of evading election funding laws relating to disclosure of political donations and the ban on donations from property developers. Not corrupt.
Nathan Tinkler
Now bankrupt, the former billionaire owner of the Newcastle Knights and Jets sports franchises was investigated over donations his property development company Buidev gave to the Liberals before the 2011 election. ICAC found that sometime before March 2011 Mr Tinkler offered to make a donation to Jodi McKay’s election campaign in an attempt to “induce Ms McKay to accept a donation from a person she knew to be a prohibited donor”. The report stated Mr Tinkler “knew at the time he made the offer that he was a prohibited donor and was not able to make a political donation”. Not corrupt.
Darren Williams
The former Buildev executive acted with the intention of evading election funding laws relating to the disclosure of political donations. ICAC said Mr Williams was the recipient from Joe Tripodi of a confidential document relating to the Port of Newcastle. Not corrupt.
Darren Webber
The former member for Wyong resigned to the crossbenches and did not contest his seat after it was alleged he solicited and received money from developers during the 2011 election campaign through a slush fund known as EightbyFive. Not corrupt.
Chris Spence
Like Mr Webber, Mr Spence, the former member for The Entrance moved to the crossbenches and did not re-contest his seat. It’s also alleged he benefited from the alleged slush fund that took money from banned developers. He was found to have acted with the intention of evading election funding laws relating to disclosure of political donations and the ban on donations from property developers. Not corrupt.