Jean Nassif appears before ICAC as Operation Rosny examines donations and influence

The man at the centre of one of Operation Rosny’s biggest dramas has finally taken the witness box, with fugitive developer Jean Nassif beginning evidence from Lebanon in a closely watched appearance before the NSW corruption inquiry.

Beaming in by video link from his bedroom in Beirut at about 7am local time, Mr Nassif told the commission he wanted to give evidence under oath and was ready to answer whatever was put to him.

“I’m going to speak my heart, I’m going to say exactly what happened with me … I’m willing to answer any questions,” Mr Nassif said.

The inquiry is examining whether unlawful political donations were channelled to Liberal Party figures — including Charles Perrottet, Christian Ellis and Jeremy Greenwood for membership recruitment — and whether Mr Nassif sought political help in return, including the removal of then building commissioner David Chandler and Baulkham Hills MP David Elliott from his path.

The commission has made clear these are allegations only and no findings have been made against Mr Nassif.

At the heart of the case are claims that donations were made by or on behalf of Mr Nassif and his company Toplace, despite developers being barred from donating in NSW, and that those payments were tied to efforts to reshape political fortunes and blunt scrutiny of his projects.

Toplace, founded by Mr Nassif after he arrived in Australia in 1989, grew into a major Sydney development business known for large apartment and mixed-use projects.

But the company later ran into deep trouble over defect complaints, the loss of its building licence and its eventual collapse into voluntary administration.

Counsel assisting Peggy Dwyer SC took Mr Nassif through some of that history, including litigation brought by a body corporate in 2018.

Mr Nassif pushed back, insisting Toplace maintained a around-the-clock repairs operation and fixed defects when needed.

The hearing then turned to former minister David Elliott, whose constituents had complained about defects in Toplace developments.

“I don’t really notice what he says, he is a racist person he is a corrupt politician,” Mr Nassif told the inquiry.

Mr Nassif also gave his account of how he first became connected to political operatives Mr Greenwood and Mr Ellis.

He told ICAC he had been venting to former prime minister Tony Abbott about figures in the Liberal Party’s centre-right faction who he believed had treated him badly.