THE Independent Commission Against Corruption has abandoned its investigation into Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council chief executive Jack Johnson after finding no evidence of corrupt conduct.
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ICAC undertook a preliminary investigation into Mr Johnson’s use of his Waawidji firm to assist Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council in its land development projects.
ICAC’s deputy director of the investigation division, Stephen Osborne, wrote
to Gandangara chairwoman Cindy Cronan on June 13 to advise that the investigation had been discontinued.
‘‘The preliminary investigation did not disclose any evidence to suggest corrupt conduct on the part of Mr Johnson,’’ Mr Osborne wrote.
Ms Cronan said the finding backed up the land council’s own internal investigation.
‘‘Gandangara’s own investigations had found no evidence that Mr Johnson had acted corruptly, which has been reinforced by the ICAC this week,’’ Ms Cronan said.
Mr Johnson said he was ‘‘gratified’’ by the findings.
‘‘The presumption of innocence when under investigation is not always upheld by the community and others,’’ Mr Johnson said.
‘‘As such it is gratifying to have been vindicated by both an internal investigation and one conducted by the state’s corruption watchdog.’’
Mr Johnson said he would now turn his attention to the land council’s $1billion development project at west Menai.
The land council’s application to develop the area, which has met considerable opposition from the community and Sutherland Shire Council, is with the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure.
Gandangara is in the process of responding to the swathe of submissions submitted by the public to its plans.
