Daryl Maguire is a former New South Wales MP for the Liberal Party, representing Wagga Wagga from 1999 to 2018. Mr. Maguire resigned from the Liberal Party in July of 2018 and from Parliament in August of 2018 following revelations during a corruption inquiry that he had sought payment regarding a property deal. A separate ICAC investigation in 2020 saw Mr. Maguire admit to using his position as an MP to pursue his own business interests. This investigation also revealed that he and former-NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, had maintained a "close personal relationship" in secret for roughly 5 years.
Alleged Cash for Visa Scheme
Mr. Maguire has been accused of conspiring with a migration agent, Maggie Sining Logan, between January of 2013 and August of 2015, to commit visa fraud in what has been described as a "cash-for-visa scheme". Federal prosecutors allege that Mr. Maguire with Ms. Logan to create fabricated documents for "official purposes in connection with non-citizens’ visas," via a company called G8way International.
The commonwealth director of public prosecutions (CDPP) has confirmed Maguire has been charged with “one offence of conspiracy to cause to be furnished false documents and false or misleading information etc. relating to non-citizens”. The CDPP also stated that as a condition of Mr. Maguire's bail, his passport has been surrendered.
The Department of Home Affairs has previously informed Senate estimates that it was investigating the the alleged visa fraud scheme. Secretary Michael Pezzullo stated that his department had been working alongside the NSW ICAC and that visas granted due to false credentials or fraudulent information would be cancelled as a general principle.
In a statement provided to The Guardian, the Australian Border Force confirmed that following extensive investigation a male person of interest had been served a notice to appear in court on the 29th of November 2022. A female had also been arrested and charged on the 4th of November.
Mr. Maguire has not yet entered a plea regarding the matter and there is no suggestion that Ms. Berejiklian was involved in the visa scheme.
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