ICAC Probes Parramatta CEO for Forged Signature and Staff Cuts

Context The New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) opened public hearings on Monday into alleged misconduct at Parramatta City Council. Counsel assisting Joanna Davidson SC described a network of three women—Connolly, Roxanne Thornton and Angela Jones‑Blayney—who previously worked together at Ryde council under the informal moniker “Pink Ops.” The group maintained extensive private communications and, according to Davidson, used those ties to influence key hiring decisions after Connolly became chief executive in March 2023.

Key Facts - Davidson alleged Connolly signed Thornton’s name as a witness on her own employment contract while Thornton was absent, effectively forging a signature. - The inquiry heard that Connolly helped Thornton secure the chief governance and risk officer role by removing the statutory requirement for a law degree, a prerequisite for that senior position. - After Thornton’s temporary appointment, she was made permanent group manager in the office of the lord mayor and CEO in February 2024, a move Davidson linked to Connolly’s restructuring plan. - Parramatta council spent $5.2 million on “deeds of release” to terminate 81 employees between January 2022 and May 2025, a figure highlighted in earlier media reports and now under scrutiny for possible misuse of public funds. - The three women’s relationship extended beyond work; they shared a jointly‑controlled Facebook profile and communicated via WhatsApp groups containing thousands of messages, suggesting a coordinated approach to council affairs. - Connolly’s tenure also featured alleged use of personal email accounts and avoidance of written records to limit freedom‑of‑information disclosures.

What It Means If the allegations are substantiated, Connolly could face charges for forging a document and for breaching procurement and recruitment protocols designed to ensure merit‑based hiring. The $5.2 million spent on staff exits may be examined for irregularities, potentially leading to restitution or criminal proceedings. The case underscores heightened scrutiny of local‑government networks that blur personal loyalty with public duty.

The ICAC expects four weeks of hearings before delivering findings. Watch for the commission’s final report and any subsequent legal actions against the former executives.