AAP: Dean Lewins
)NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian's former boyfriend Daryl Maguire could face criminal charges over evidence he gave to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
The ICAC has recommended that the DPP should consider prosecuting Mr Maguire for two offences for giving false and misleading evidence in 2018.
The ICAC has handed down its finding from Operation Dasha, which was an investigation into the conduct of former councillors from Canterbury City Council.
It also referred several officials from Canterbury Council to the DPP for possible charges.
Revelations during the public hearings in 2018 forced Mr Maguire's resignation from Parliament.
He had been the Liberal MP for Wagga Wagga.
If convicted, Mr Maguire would face a maximum penalty of five years behind bars.
AAP Image: Dean Lewins
)Phone taps from mid-2016 between Mr Maguire and former Canterbury Councillor Michael Hawatt were played to the ICAC.
In it, they discussed a cut they could receive from a business deal with a Chinese developer.
Country Garden Australia was a possible buyer for a site in the Canterbury Council area that could then be developed.
The ICAC report says while giving evidence "Mr Maguire initially denied that he had ever attempted to do business with Mr Hawatt" and "he denied, in 2016, approaching Mr Hawatt with a view to making money out of a business".
The ICAC has ruled that the advice of the DPP should be sought as to whether Mr Maguire should be charged for misleading ICAC for denying he approached Mr Hawatt with the view of making money and denying that he approached Mr Hawatt on behalf of Country Garden Australia because he could potentially benefit.
This inquiry into Canterbury Council led to a separate investigation into Mr Maguire, known as Operation Keppel.
The investigation is still underway and during public hearings last year it was revealed the Premier was in a relationship with Mr Maguire from 2015 to mid-2020.
The deal with Country Garden Australia never eventuated and Mr Maguire, as well as Mr Hawatt, did not receive any money.
