Bank records also showed that, in the days following a purported work-out, similar amounts of cash, in similar denominations, would be deposited into the accounts. ICAC’s operation Dasha into corruption at the former Canterbury Council vaulted into the state spotlight last week when it seemingly claimed the political career of Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire, caught attempting to take cuts in property deals involving Mr Hawatt. But the inquiry has continued to examine the manner in which the recent development bonanza in Sydney’s inner south was presided over by the former council, since merged into the City of Canterbury Bankstown. The court heard that Michael Hawatt enjoying sessions at Jimmy Maroun's home gym. Credit:Brendan Esposito Giving evidence this week, Mr Maroun – who had development sites along Canterbury Road and elsewhere in the area - was probed about intercepted calls and texts shared in which he regularly arranged to meet Mr Hawatt and Mr Azzi at his home gym.

“Need to see you at gym if possible thank you,” Mr Maroun texted Mr Hawatt on September 16, 2015. “I’m calling to tell you that I will be at the gym around half past four,” Mr Maroun told Mr Hawatt on March 18, 2016. Loading Mr Maroun’s evidence was that the two councillors enjoyed training at his home gym, next to his office. “I had a treadmill, bike, weightlifting bench, exercise bench, so we used to train, we used to train together,” the developer said. The councillors used the free weights, he said.

But counsel assisting the commission, David Buchanan SC, put forward the proposition that arrangements to meet at the gym were code for business transactions. Mr Buchanan cited one message sent by Mr Maroun to Mr Hawatt on February 4, 2016 - “Do you have a spare half hour for the gym today?” “Was that an indication that he might receive a payment if he came over to you?,” Mr Buchanan asked. “No,” Mr Maroun replied. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video

Mr Maroun admitted to seeking, and receiving, the help of Mr Hawatt and Mr Azzi over one development site, 538-546 Canterbury Road. But he denied paying them. A six-storey development was approved by Canterbury Council in late 2015. And then on March 10, 2016, Canterbury Council approved an extra two storeys and six apartments on the site. This approval came despite a recommendation by the council’s independent hearing and assessment panel that the extra floors be rejected. “We had six against one,” Mr Hawatt told Mr Maroun on March 11 of the council vote. At 3pm that afternoon, the two arranged to meet at the gym. A summary of financial transactions in late 2015 and early 2016, prepared by ICAC, showed Mr Maroun made large cash withdrawals totalling around $100,000, generally prior to meetings with the councillors.

Deposits totalling a similar amount were later made to the accounts of the two councillors. But Mr Maroun attributed the cash withdrawals to family expenses, as well as to his hobbies, “gambling” and “parties”. The inquiry before Patricia McDonald SC is ongoing, and may hold hearings as late as December.