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Sharobeem protests ICAC ‘abuse’

AAP June 14, 2017

2 min read

Former charity boss Eman Sharobeem will face what’s expected to be her final day of grilling by a Sydney corruption inquiry examining allegations she rorted more than half a million dollars in public funds.

The 54-year-old is accused of accepting dishonest reimbursement for over $600,000 as head of the Immigrant Women’s Health Service and the Non-English Speaking Housing Women’s Scheme.

She has consistently blamed colleagues for mistakenly reimbursing personal expenses for everything from hair appointments to a diamond necklace and personal water bills, but claimed she paid back anything that she shouldn’t have received.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption on Wednesday heard the total amount she received from the IWHS – including her salary, allegedly dishonest reimbursements and “facilitator” fees for both herself and her son – was about $1.1 million over eight years.

She claims to have saved the organisation from closure and left it in a “healthy state”.

Sharobeem has also taken issue with her treatment at the inquiry.

“This commission is against all forms of human rights, isn’t it?” she said on Wednesday as she broke down.

Sharobeem is expected to face her eighth and final day of examination on Thursday, but she may be called back for clarifications once other witnesses have given evidence.

Next week, her two adult sons Richard and Charlie along with her husband Haiman Hammo will be called to give evidence.

The commission has previously heard how IWHS money was used to reimburse expenses incurred on her husband’s bank cards and several expenses for her sons, including about $850 in E-way toll expenses linked to their motorcycles.

Sharobeem claims she paid the money back.

Sharobeem also told the corruption inquiry she was being treated “inhumanely”.

“This commission is against all forms of human rights, isn’t it?” she said through tears at one point.

“This is just to abuse people.”

The hearing continues.