‘My life has been ruined’: Former NSW minister John Sidoti charged with misconduct in public office, vows to clear his name
Former NSW minister John Sidoti has vowed to tackle misconduct in public office, saying the allegations against him have devastated his life and left him determined to clear his name.
Mr Sidoti has been charged with one count of misconduct in public office and is due to appear in court on July 16 in a case arising from the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption’s 2022 Operation Witney investigation.
In a statement released to The Australian, the former Berejiklian government minister said she intended to contest the claim and welcomed the court process.
“My life was ruined and I never got to tell my side of the story, I never got to tell my version of events,” Mr. Sidoti told the imprint.
“If you read these stories, they are so far from the truth that they are not funny and bear no responsibility.
“I welcome this opportunity because I want to move on with my life and I want to clear my name and this is the first opportunity I’ve had in this process.”
The charge comes after the ICAC’s report into Operation Witney found Sidoti “engaged in a sustained pattern of conduct to attempt to improperly influence” Canada Bay Liberal councilors between late 2013 and February 2017.
The watchdog discovered that he repeatedly contacted and lobbied councilors as he sought planning changes that would increase the development potential of properties he and his family owned, including changes to allow taller buildings in areas.
“The outcomes Mr Sidoti sought from these councilors were entirely geared towards his private interests in increasing the development potential of his family’s growing number of properties in and around the city centre,” the ICAC said in its 2022 report.
The report stated that ICAC would seek advice from the Attorney General on whether to launch an investigation. The matter has now been taken to court by the DPP.
Mr Sidoti withdrew from the bench in 2021 while the corruption investigation continues and will not run in the 2023 state elections.
