Member for Charlestown Andrew Cornwell has told the ICAC he was offered $10,000 in a brown paper bag while sitting in developer Jeff McCloy’s Bentley before the 2011 election campaign.
Mr McCloy became Lord Mayor in 2012.
Counsel assisting the inquiry, Geoffrey Watson, said Dr Cornwell, who ran a veterinary practice before being elected, handed the money, that was in either a paper bag or envelopes containing $100 notes, to a Liberal party colleague.
“It would seem to us these actions were the result of inexperience,” Mr Watson said.
“There is no evidence that Mr Cornwell gave any preference to Mr McCloy.”
The ICAC heard the money was fed through a company called Harmony Hill then funnelled back to the Liberal Party.
It was also revealed today, Andrew Cornwell gave Hunter property developer Hilton Grugeon a painting that Hilton Grugeon paid $10,000 for, and that Andrew Cornwell was “embarrassed” by the size of the cheque. Andrew Cornwell said he sought advice from his parents, both lawyers, that he was able to accept the cheque. The cheque was cashed and used in Andrew Cornwell’s successful election campaign.