Courts & Police
30 March, 2026
Mayor accused of making a false report to police
Local property developer Theo Onisforou has accused Wingecarribee Mayor Jesse Fitzpatrick of making a false report or allegation to NSW Police – resulting in his removal from council’s March 18 public forum in Moss Vale.
Local property developer Theo Onisforou has accused Wingecarribee Mayor Jesse Fitzpatrick of making a false report or allegation to NSW Police – resulting in his removal from council’s March 18 public forum in Moss Vale.
As reported by The Southern Wire, Mr Onisforou was escorted from the Council Chambers by four or five police officers.
He was not charged with any offence.
Mr Onisforou, a retired Barrister at Law, said it was a serious criminal offence under Section 314 of the Crimes Act 1900 to knowingly make a false accusation or report to the police – with a penalty of up to seven years in jail.
“The Mayor, Jesse Fitzpatrick, improperly abused the NSW Police Service to achieve an improper purpose of removing me from a public forum by making a false accusation or report about me to the NSW Police,” Mr Onisforou said in a statement issued this afternoon.
“The Mayor had a copy in writing of exactly what I was going to say.
“The Mayor also had at the time a copy of correspondence that explained my right to speak on the topic before council.
“The Mayor was motivated only by his personal dislike of me, which is clearly not a proper purpose and is an abuse of his power.”
Mr Onisforou accused the Mayor “or his agent or servant” of “intentionally and knowingly” making a false allegation to police – resulting in his ‘forcible’ removal from the public forum.
Mr Onisforou said he lodged a formal complaint against the Mayor at the Southern Highlands Police Station in Moss Vale last Thursday, March 26.
He said the complaint had been accepted and he was told that it would be investigated in conjunction with the Mayor’s complaint about him on March 18.
Mr Onisforou said he had also provided a copy of his 100-page complaint to the NSW Attorney General, the NSW Minister for Local Government and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
As reported by The Southern Wire, Mr Onisforou was advised by email at 10.14am on March 16 that his request to address the public forum on the issue of funding for the Ngununggula art gallery had been accepted.
He received another email from council staff at 12.45pm the following day (Tuesday, March 17) stating that council’s General Manager Lisa Miscamble had decided to refuse his application to speak at the forum “following further consideration”.
Council’s Manager Governance and Corporate Performance, Danielle Lidgard, advised Mr Onisforou that the decision had been based on his conduct at the August 20 public forum last year.
“On that occasion, you were not a registered speaker but were permitted to address the forum at the discretion of the Mayor,” Ms Lidgard.
“During your address, you engaged in conduct that was determined to constitute disorderly conduct under Council’s Code of Meeting Practice.”
She said the policy stated that the General Manager could refuse further applications to speak at the public forum from a person that has engaged in disorderly conduct.
“Further, consideration has been given to the Work Health and Safety Act 2011,” Ms Lidgard said.
“The Council Chamber is a workplace and, as such, the WH&S Act applies.
“Council has an obligation to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of councillors, staff and members of the public who are in attendance.
“Having regard to these matters, your application to speak at the March 2026 public forum is refused,” Ms Lidgard advised.
“This decision follows further consideration of the matter and supersedes the email sent to you yesterday, advising that your application had been accepted.
“The refusal to permit you to speak at the public forum is consistent with the NSW OLG Model Public Forum Rules (January 2026) and the council’s adopted Public Forum Policy.”
Mr Onisforou described the decision as “dishonest, opportunistic and venegeful” and believes it was made purely in response to his professional criticisms of the Mayor and General Manager.
He has asked council to provide details of the alleged disorderly conduct.
“My appearance at the relevant meeting was taped and is on YouTube,” Mr Onisforou said in his response to Ms Lidgard.
“No criticisms arose at the time of the meeting.”
Mr Onisforou said he was within his rights to attend the March 18 public forum.
He has also said that the “inexplicable aggression of the Mayor towards those that speak against him” was causing him enormous concern.
A police spokesperson told The Southern Wire on the afternoon of March 18 that police had been called to the Council Chambers “following a report of disturbance during a meeting”.
“Officers attached to The Hume Police District attended and removed a man from the premises before issuing him a move on direction which was complied with.”
The spokesperson said inquiries into the incident were ongoing.
Read More: Moss Vale, Southern Highlands