FORMER University of New England (UNE) chancellor John Cassidy has been left “flabbergasted” after the corruption watchdog found he had “engaged in corrupt conduct” over the sale of a university-owned pub in Armidale.
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In a report released yesterday, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) said Mr Cassidy misused inside information when recommending to a business partner in 2005 that the Tattersalls Hotel “would be a good investment”.
Commissioner Megan Latham concluded Mr Cassidy abused his position to “gain (an) advantage” for Darrell Hendry and that he did not disclose his relationship with Mr Hendry to the university.
She also found Mr Cassidy provided “misleading information” to the university concerning his role in the decision to sell the hotel, the “true nature” of his association with Mr Hendry, and when he decided to become a partner in the hotel venture.
Mr Cassidy, who served as UNE chancellor between 2003 and 2008 following a successful career with construction firm Abigroup, told The Armidale Express he was shocked at the findings.
“It’s difficult to make any measured comment because of the process followed by ICAC, but I’m flabbergasted,” he told The Armidale Express.
“If it had been in the Supreme Court, I’m sure there would have been a different result.”
Commissioner Latham, who presided over the five-day public hearing in July when 19 witnesses were called, stopped short of recommending criminal charges be laid against Mr Cassidy.
“As Mr Cassidy is no longer chancellor of UNE, it is not necessary for the commission to consider whether any disciplinary action should be taken against him or any other action should be taken with a view to his dismissal,” she said in the report.
During the hearing, the ICAC heard allegations that Mr Cassidy passed on confidential information about rival bids for the hotel to Mr Hendry, who is a former financial director of Abigroup.
However, the commission said in its report it was “not satisfied” that Mr Cassidy had in fact told Mr Hendry this information. No adverse findings were made against Mr Hendry.
In a statement, a UNE spokesman stressed that Mr Cassidy has “no active involvement with the university”.
“From the university’s perspective, it is important to note that the commission ‘did not consider it necessary to make any corruption prevention recommendations as the investigations did not raise any systemic issues’,” the spokesman said.
