An ICAC hearing has turned to allegations of scheming and secret dealings at Strathfield Council, with the contest for the mayoralty at the centre of proceedings.
The evidence focused on claims of broken promises, double-dealing and clandestine meetings, including gatherings at the Horse & Jockey Hotel. The apparent prize was the mayor’s robes, silver-linked chain and official Toyota.
The proceedings followed references to fugitive Jean Nassif’s Beirut bedroom rants, before attention shifted to the internal manoeuvring at the council.
The political intrigue was likened to Rats in the Ranks, a documentary about the 1994 mayoral election at the inner-west council of Leichhardt.
Writing in a review for the Herald in 1996, author Robert Drew said: “Leading up to the 1994 mayoral election, the three contenders for the position of mayor of the inner west council of Leichhardt, including Mayor Larry Hand, allowed themselves to be filmed for a documentary.”
