During an ICAC hearing, Sharangan Maheswaran testified that a lawyer for property developer Jean Nassif offered him $1,000 to generate media coverage about an unsubstantiated rumor involving former Liberal minister David Elliott. Maheswaran claimed the offer was not serious and acknowledged that the rumor was false, despite attempts to place the story with a news outlet.
Elliott has denied the allegations of an affair and breach of Covid restrictions, with multiple witnesses confirming the lack of evidence. The commission is investigating potential illegal donations linked to Nassif and political outcomes affecting Elliott.