It’s the political corruption thriller with everything – fugitive millionaires, corrupt developers, disgraced politicians, bribes, religion, money laundering, branch-stacking, threats against former Building Commissioner David Chandler and even an ex-premier’s political fixer brothers.

And whether you are a politics nerd or a true crime fanatic, this is right up your alley and parked outside your secret door.

Crime reporter par excellence Kate McClymont and the SMH team are sitting in on Operation Rosny, an ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption) inquiry into allegations of illegal political donations in NSW.

This has led to rolling claims of political corruption and even allegations of money laundering connected to the state’s Liberal Party.

The story has more than a whiff of Watergate, with wire taps, political intrigue and questions stretching all the way up to the current leader of the Liberal Party nationally.

The inquiry centres on fugitive property developer Jean Nassif (owner of Toplace), who allegedly funded right-wing Liberal Party “black ops” even while hiding in Lebanon to avoid an arrest warrant for fraud.

A group within the Liberal Party’s right faction, dubbed “The Reformers,” is implicated — including Jeremy Greenwood and Christian Ellis, who set up a lobbying firm, allegedly used to launder illegal donations, and two brothers of former premier Dominic Perrottet (Charles and Jean-Claude), who is not accused of wrongdoing himself.

Counsel assisting the inquiry, Dr Peggy Dwyer SC, described money allegedly flowing from Nassif and separately from Catholic Schools NSW (via then-CEO Dallas McInerney) to fund the Reformers.

Several key figures reportedly avoided giving evidence — Ellis moved to England, Charles Perrottet refused to return from Melbourne, and Jean-Claude Perrottet went to Fiji during the inquiry period.

Phone intercepts allegedly capture Nassif making threats against building commissioner David Chandler and boasting about his political influence, including his ties to the Perrottet premiership.

“The inquiry heard that Nassif allegedly offered $2 million in donations from his now-collapsed property empire, Toplace,” according to the SMH reports.  This would have been in exchange for political favours that may have included the removal of building commissioner David Chandler.

Then there’s the Labor councillor, Sharangan Maheswaran, who allegedly helped Nassif evade legal processes and used his money to hire a private investigator to target a local mayor.

The SMH article connects this to a broader pattern of NSW political scandals, including the earlier resignation of former premier Gladys Berejiklian.

And that’s just the start. Every day the SMH reporting reveals another level of dubious deals and allegations.

This week Liberal leader Angus Taylor was asked to comment on claims that he had promised a $15,000 “injection” for the work of the Reformers, along with a $3000 monthly contribution. Mr Taylor has denied any payments were made and stressed he is not a party to the ICAC investigation.

The inquiry has revealed close associations between the right-wing of the NSW Liberal party, the Reformers Group, conservative Christians including Catholic Schools NSW, and the fugitive developer.

If you were ever thinking of getting a subscription to the Sydney Morning Herald online, now would be the time to sign up. There are now 30 stories in the Operation Rosny archive and you can subscribe and read them for just $6 a week.

FYI, I don’t work for the Herald and I don’t get any commission for this – I just think it’s great value for a mind-blowing story.