Ex-Liberal MP Daryl Maguire guilty over visa scheme

Former Liberal MP Daryl Maguire has been found guilty of his role in a fraudulent visa scheme.

A jury on Friday morning found the ex-boyfriend of former Wagga Wagga MP and former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit a crime.

Maguire pleaded not guilty during a three-week trial in Sydney’s Downing Central District Court before the jury deliberated for five days to reach its verdict.

During the hearing, the Crown accused Maguire, 67, of knowing he was given false information about visa applications for Chinese nationals between 2013 and 2015 while he was sitting in state parliament.

He will appear in court for a criminal trial later this year.

It may also be revealed that Maguire’s conviction and prison sentence were overturned on appeal on the grounds that he gave misleading evidence to the ICAC.

Maguire was sentenced to 10 months in prison, five months of which was non-parole, in August last year after being tried in the NSW Local Court.

He was found guilty by Judge Clare Farnan of giving false or misleading evidence at a public inquiry.

Maguire did not admit guilt; but was found to have knowingly provided misleading evidence to ICAC about the potential sale of a property in Campsie, south-west Sydney, in July 2018 and whether he intended to be paid to broker the deal.

The detained person was released on bail following his arrest and an objection at the Regional Courthouse.

It has now emerged that in March this year the District Court overturned his conviction on appeal, but this could not be reported by the media at the time due to the court order having lapsed following the decision at Maguire’s other trial.

Ms Berejiklian is not charged with any offences.