Strathfield mayor claims surveillance and threats after breaking power deal
Independent mayor Matthew Blackmore alleges councillors ran a campaign of threats and surveillance after he backed out of a power-sharing deal.
Matthew Blackmore spoke at a corruption hearing and said he was targeted after backing out of a power-sharing deal with Labor councillors at Strathfield Council in 2022. Councillor Sharangan Maheswaran and Karen Pensabene allegedly started a pressure campaign after Blackmore chose to stay on as mayor.
Maheswaran allegedly said Blackmore had a reputation in the party and it would take just six weeks to fell him. The campaign used 20,000 flyers.
These detailed Blackmore's 2009 fraud conviction and council conduct allegations. Blackmore says he was also watched.
He says Maheswaran knew his family holiday location and had records of private conversations. Maheswaran works for fugitive developer Jean Nassif.
The ICAC is investigating whether their conduct broke public trust.
- 20,000
- Flyers distributed
- 2022
- Year of deal
- 2009
- Blackmore's fraud conviction
- Sharangan Maheswaran
- Councillor behind campaign
Why it mattersPressure campaigns against elected officials threaten democratic accountability in local government.
AustraliaNSW local government governance tested; ICAC investigation underway in Sydney council.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 10 d ago
