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Former transport official Ibrahim Helmy fronts ICAC over kickbacks investigation

A former transport official who evaded police for months was found “hiding in a cupboard”, the state’s corruption commission has been told.

Ibrahim Helmy, 38, was brought in handcuffs to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) after being arrested last month over his failure to appear before the commission.

ICAC is investigating allegations that Mr Helmy, who worked for Transport for NSW for 15 years, received $11.5 million in payments for helping contractors secure roadworks jobs, often at inflated prices.

Mr Helmy told the inquiry he knew about the ICAC summons and the warrant being issued for his arrest.

In fact, he even watched the first day of public hearings in July, via ICAC’s live stream.

Counsel Assisting Rob Ranken SC asked Mr Helmy whether he had watched the opening address, in which he explained that ICAC wanted to question the former transport official.

Mr Helmy agreed that he had.

“Did you also hear me say that active steps were being taken to locate you so that you might be brought before the commission and answer questions about the matters under investigation?” Mr Ranken asked.

“I think, yes,” Mr Helmy replied.

Lying low at new address

Shortly before Mr Helmy was due to answer ICAC’s questions in May, he moved to an address in Lakemba.

The hearing was told he paid $175 per week in cash to live with two people he did not previously know.

He was still living at that property in Western Sydney when public hearings began.

“Did you hear me urge you to come forward of your own volition?” Mr Ranken asked.

Mr Helmy said he did not recall hearing that plea.

“And you did not come forward of your own volition?” Mr Ranken asked.

“To be honest, I had planned to,” Mr Helmy replied.

Police caught up with Mr Helmy first, arresting him at the Lakemba address on September 26.

Found hiding in cupboard

Counsel assisting suggested that Mr Helmy had attempted to evade police when they came to arrest him.

“Did police find you hiding in a cupboard inside those premises?” Mr Ranken asked.

“I was, yeah,” Mr Helmy replied.

However, he then added he was “getting something from the cupboard” when police arrived.

Mr Helmy agreed that he had been found with two mobile phones in his possession.

The commission was previously told Mr Helmy helped roadworks companies win lucrative contracts with Transport for NSW, in exchange for cash, cryptocurrency, gold and gift cards.

The inquiry continues.

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