Former NSW Transport Department Engineer Admits to Pocketing $110,000 in Kickbacks from Road Contractor

A former Transport for NSW engineer has admitted to pocketing at least $110,000 in kickbacks from a road contractor. The engineer, David Liu, worked with his colleague Ibrahim Helmy and contractor Jason Chellew to inflate invoices and split the profits. Liu admitted to receiving kickbacks from Chellew on at least five occasions and suspected the total amount to be around $140,000. The Independent Commission Against Corruption is investigating allegations of corruption involving Transport for NSW.

A former senior project engineer at Transport for NSW, David Liu, has admitted to pocketing at least $110,000 in kickbacks from a road contractor. The admission was made during an ongoing inquiry by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) into alleged corruption within the government agency.

Liu worked with his colleague Ibrahim Helmy and contractor Jason Chellew to inflate invoices and split the profits. According to Liu, the scheme involved adding extra work items to invoices that were not actually required, effectively inflating the costs. Liu admitted to receiving kickbacks from Chellew on at least five occasions and suspected the total amount to be around $140,000 [3].

The ICAC inquiry is investigating allegations of corruption involving Transport for NSW, which has seen millions of dollars in government contracts potentially rigged. The inquiry has uncovered evidence of kickbacks and bribes, including bundles of cash, gold bullion, and cryptocurrency, allegedly received by Helmy from contractors in return for awarding work [2].

Liu's testimony is part of a broader investigation into the activities of Ibrahim Helmy, who is believed to be in hiding after a failed attempt to leave Australia. Helmy, a former procurement officer at Transport for NSW, is accused of masterminding a corruption scheme that saw him allocate $343 million in rigged government contracts [2].

The inquiry, which began in August 2025, is expected to run for another two weeks. It is the fourth public inquiry into Transport for NSW since 2019, highlighting the ongoing concerns about corruption within the agency.

References:
1. [1] https://www.manningrivertimes.com.au/story/9033823/nsw-engineer-embroiled-in-transport-for-nsw-corruption-scandal/
2. [2] https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14974225/Ibrahim-Helmy-icac-NSW-public-servant.html
3. [3] https://www.watoday.com.au/national/nsw/transport-department-engineer-admits-pocketing-at-least-110-000-in-kickbacks-20250807-p5ml2z.html