Assassin 'not influencing council'
The Australian (AAP) Tuesday July 2, 2002
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,4620291%255E421,00.html

THE NSW corruption watchdog has cleared political assassin Phuong Ngo of influencing his former local council from his jail cell.

The state government ordered the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) inquiry earlier this year following revelations that several Fairfield City councillors were visiting Ngo in Long Bay jail.

Ngo, a former Fairfield councillor, is serving a life sentence for the 1994 murder of Cabramatta MP John Newman.

ICAC Commissioner Irene Moss handed down her report last night, clearing Ngo of improperly influencing councillors.

"The report finds no basis for further inquiries into allegations that Phuong Ngo is influencing the conduct of council business and subject to consultation with the commission's Operations Review Committee, I do not propose any further inquiry," Ms Moss wrote to Fairfield City Council.

She said a copy of the report had been forwarded to the Local Government Minister.

Fairfield City councillor Thang Ngo today said a council meeting had been called tonight to discuss the report.

The community should accept the ICAC's findings, he said.