ICAC push for prosecution of former Sydney Ferries boss

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) yesterday referred the matter to the NSW Department of Public Prosecutions.

ICAC also recommended that consideration be given to prosecuting former Sydney Ferries chief financial officer Vincenzo Rossello for giving false or misleading information to the commission.

The ICAC decision follow a seven-month investigation following a complaint made by a former Sydney Ferries employee about Mr Smith's use of the taxpayer-funded credit card.

ICAC's investigation centred on personal expenses, including school fees, petrol and groceries totalling $237,000, which Mr Smith allegedly paid using his corporate card.

ICAC said Mr Smith knew that "he was not entitled to use the card to incur personal expenses and that its use was restricted to Sydney Ferries business expenses”.

Mr Smith was appointed to head Sydney Ferries in mid-2006, replacing the former chief executive of Newcastle Port Corporation and NSW Maritime, Rear Admiral Chris Oxenbould, who had been seconded to the role for six months.

NSW transport minister David Campbell sacked Mr Smith on May 26.