A business associate of the Obeid family has been sentenced for his role in lying to the NSW corruption watchdog about helping Moses Obeid supply a government minister with a below-cost car.
Rocco Triulcio appeared in Downing Centre District Court in Sydney on Thursday after pleading guilty to two charges of giving false evidence, which carry a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.
He was sentenced to 21 months of an intensive corrections order, a form of imprisonment served in the community with strict supervision conditions.
Triulcio had twice appeared before the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in May and November 2012, where he lied about his knowledge of a deal to assist the son of disgraced former Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid provide a Honda CRV in 2007 to then minister Eric Roozendaal.
Judge Kara Shead described his false evidence as an attempt to provide an alternative explanation as to why the vehicle became available to Mr Roozendaal at a significantly discounted price, despite knowing it had always been intended for the then minister.
Triulcio's offending was outlined as lying which was “deliberate and extended over a number of related topics and answers”.
The judge noted Triulcio understood he was in jeopardy of significant penalty if he chose to lie, and did so on not one but two occasions, with the second an attempt to continue the "false narrative" despite documentary evidence proving it to be untruthful.
“I am of the view that no penalty other than imprisonment is appropriate,” Judge Shead said.
Submissions had earlier noted that Triulcio was motivated by a desire to protect his loved ones and business interests from the powerful Obeid family.
The court found his offences were not part of a planned or organised criminal activity, while noting he had a propensity to be "somewhat compliant" with the Obeids due to their business relationships.
"I am satisfied that these crimes are essentially stale," Judge Shead said as she outlined the timeline of delays that were not attributable to Triulcio in being sentenced more than 10 years after his offending.
The judge also noted the significant impact media attention on Triulcio's case and the impact on his reputation and personal interests, including his mental health, but did not accept it as a mitigating factor.
"What was reported was the offending, for which the offender himself was responsible," she said.
Moses Obeid is set to be sentenced in April for similar charges related to lying to ICAC.
