Rats in the ranks: ICAC hears double-crosses, blackmail and broken promises

September 16, 2026 — 5:00am

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In between the Beirut bedroom rantings of fugitive Jean Nassif, the latest delicious episode of the ICAC has turned to Strathfield Council, where the order of the day appears to be scheming, double-dealing, broken promises and clandestine meetings in dark corners of establishments such as the Horse & Jockey Hotel.

At the heart of these Machiavellian manipulations appears to be the desire to attire oneself in the crimson mayoral robes, wear the heavy, silver-linked chain and have use of the mayoral wheels: a Toyota.

Listening to the evidence unfold was like watching a rerun of the entertaining documentary Rats in the Ranks.

“Leading up to the 1994 mayoral election, the three contenders for the position of mayor of the inner west council of Leichhardt, including Mayor Larry Hand, allowed themselves to be filmed for a documentary,” wrote author Robert Drew in a review for the Herald in 1996.

“As the clock ticks down to 7pm, September 7, 1994, when the councillors are to meet in the council chambers to cast their vote, arms are twisted and favours called in. Damaging stories are leaked to the media. People are double-crossed, then triple-crossed. But right up to the moment of voting, no........

© The Sydney Morning Herald