Ex-MP Maguire charged over visa scheme

Former MP Daryl Maguire has been charged with criminal conspiracy over an alleged visa fraud underway while he was sitting in the NSW parliament.

The former Wagga MP, who resigned after an anti-corruption inquiry and later had his discrete romantic relationship with former premier Gladys Berejiklian exposed, is accused of conspiring with migration agent Maggie Sining Logan between January 2013 and August 2015.

Federal prosecutors allege he conspired with Logan to have false or misleading documents to be furnished for official purposes in connection with non-citizens’ visas.

Maguire’s case was mentioned in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday. It was adjourned to February 7 to allow prosecutors to serve the brief of evidence.

He has not yet entered a plea. His lawyer has been contacted for comment.

There is no suggestion Ms Berejiklian was involved. She has not been implicated in the various schemes of Maguire’s that were uncovered by the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption.

While under oath at ICAC, Maguire admitted to using his position as an MP, parliamentary secretary and NSW Asia-Pacific parliamentary friendship group chair “with a view to making money” for himself and his associates between 2012 and 2018.

He told the commission he played a role in a visa scheme linked to G8way identifying businesses that could sponsor Chinese nationals.

Visa applicants paid the first three months of their wages and paid Ms Logan – nee Wang – commissions of up to $20,000, the inquiry was told.

On more than one occasion, Mr Maguire accepted delivery of thousands of dollars of cash to his parliamentary office to allow him to take his cut.

The investigation into Maguire, dubbed Operation Keppel, eventually led to Ms Berejiklian sensationally revealing the pair had been in a clandestine relationship for about five years, describing Mr Maguire as being part of her “love circle”.

She later chose to resign as premier after ICAC announced it would investigate her for potential breaches of public trust.

A final report on that investigation is yet to be released.