James Packer pressured businessman over privatisation deal
A high profile businessman has alleged that he was pressured by billionaire James Packer in an explosive message, according to a source aware of the complaint.
The message sent in 2015 was sparked after a dispute that arose when Mr Packer tried to privatise his casino interests.
The source said Mr Packer’s message referred to Israeli intelligence agency Mossad. The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald are not suggesting that Mr Packer engaged in any impropriety.
The message appears likely to be aired at the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority’s public inquiry into Crown Resorts, which is questioning Mr Packer on Tuesday afternoon.
The inquiry was adjourned shortly before 3pm so that Mr Packer could be asked in a closed hearing about certain emails sent in 2015 about the proposed privatisation deal. His lawyers were granted their request for these questions to be asked in private because of concerns about his state of mind at the time of writing the messages.
The first 40 minutes of the inquiry have been busy, but spent on high-level questions, which could indicate that it may dig in deeper into issues later during today’s hearing.
Over the past couple of months, the inquiry has been examining various probity issues at the casino giant and will make a recommendation to the NSW government on whether Crown should keep the licence for its new casino at Barangaroo.
Mr Packer owns 36 per cent of Crown and was its chairman for many years but has not had an official role with the company since he left its board in 2018. However the inquiry has heard the billionaire has continued to wield significant influence at the ASX-listed group.
Witnesses are appearing at the inquiry via video link due to COVID-19. For Mr Packer, that means he’s dialling in from his $200 million superyacht, IJE, which we believe is moored somewhere in the South Pacific.
This inquiry – which has the same powers as a royal commission – was triggered by a series of reports last year by The Age, SMH and 60 Minutes which revealed that Crown went into business with “junket” tour figures linked to Asian organised crime groups, allowed itself to be used to launder drug money, and put its staff at risk of arrest in China.
Nick McKenzie is an investigative reporter for The Age. He’s won nine Walkley awards and covers politics, business, foreign affairs and defence, human rights issues, the criminal justice system and social affairs.
Business reporter at The Age and Sydney Morning Herald.
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Source: Thanks smh.com