A Sydney mayor was allegedly threatened, followed, and his children secretly recorded after he declined to honour an agreement to step down, the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) has heard. Former independent Strathfield council mayor Matthew Blackmore has appeared before the Icac inquiry, codenamed Operation Rosny.
The inquiry is investigating accusations against former Labor councillors Sharangan Maheswaran and Karen Pensabene, including allegations of blackmail or surveillance against Blackmore. Blackmore told the commission that in 2022, he initially agreed to split the mayoralty term, taking the position first before resigning to allow a Labor councillor, expected to be Pensabene, to complete the term.
However, in January 2023, Blackmore informed the two Labor councillors of his intention to remain as mayor. He alleges Maheswaran then told him: "What you’ve got to understand, Matthew … I’ve got a reputation in the party that if I don’t like someone, they don’t get away with crossing me. It would take me about six weeks to take you down."
Blackmore also stated that Maheswaran later told him he had operatives following him for five months, taking photos and recording his conversations without his knowledge. Blackmore received inquiries from journalists and, according to his statement, Maheswaran told him: "All of this will go away when you resign from the mayoralty. It will stop. You’re not going to have any harassment as long as you agree with us to do this."
Blackmore expressed concerns about his personal safety, stating he feels sick that his children were allegedly surveilled. Maheswaran is scheduled to appear at Icac on Friday.