Prominent Maitland developer Hilton Grugeon has been included in a list of people to be the subject of an Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry into political donations.
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Operation Spicer’s focus on corruption allegations involving political donations made during the 2011 state election campaign for the seat of Newcastle will resume at 10am on August 6.
It will investigate whether funds were solicited and received from prohibited donors, including Buildev Pty Ltd, Nathan Tinkler, Lord Mayor of Newcastle Jeff McCloy, Mr Grugeon and other people and companies associated with them.
Property developers and their companies are banned from making donations to politicians and political parties.
The Mercury was unsuccessful in its attempt to reach Mr Grugeon for comment yesterday afternoon.
The ICAC will also examine whether MPs, including former Energy and Resources Minister Chris Hartcher and former Police Minister Michael Gallacher, solicited and received donations from prohibited donors during Liberal Party’s 2011 state election campaign.
It will investigate whether Buildev Pty Ltd, Mr Tinkler, Darren Williams, David Sharpe, Mr McCloy and Mr Grugeon improperly sought to influence certain members of Parliament by making donations during the campaign.
The investigation will look into whether Mr Hartcher and Mr Gallacher used or attempted to use their power and influence improperly to benefit, or attempt to benefit, donors during the campaign.
The inquiry will be held at the ICAC hearing room in Sydney and is expected to take at least three weeks.
ICAC commissioner Megan Latham will preside over the investigation.
A witness list for the first week of the public inquiry will be published before it begins.