A former mayor of Strathfield in Sydney, Matthew Blackmore, has testified before the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) that he was allegedly threatened, followed, and that his children were secretly recorded after he refused to resign from his position. The inquiry, codenamed Operation Rosny, is examining allegations against former Labor councillors Sharangan Maheswaran and Karen Pensabene, including claims of blackmail and possible surveillance. Blackmore initially agreed in 2022 to split the mayoral term, allowing him to serve first before resigning so that Pensabene, a Labor councillor, could complete the term. However, he later changed his mind and decided to stay on as mayor, which reportedly upset Maheswaran and Pensabene. Maheswaran allegedly warned Blackmore that he had a reputation in the party for dealing harshly with those who crossed him, saying he could "take [Blackmore] down" in six weeks. Blackmore responded with a strong verbal retort, saying he could "get fucked." The former mayor also shared with the commission that his wife had photographed Maheswaran's car outside their home, near a brothel. He said he only wanted to confirm the car's license plate but admitted he felt "a bit intimidated" by the repeated sightings of Maheswaran's vehicle. Pensabene later warned Blackmore that Maheswaran was "out of control" and had printed 20,000 attack flyers. One of these flyers, which Blackmore described as a "shit sheet," was found on his car, and Pensabene warned him that "everything so far is less than 10% of what is coming." Maheswaran allegedly told Blackmore that he had operatives following him for five months, recording his conversations and taking photos without his knowledge. Blackmore believed this was an attempt to pressure him into resigning. Blackmore later received inquiries from journalists working for News Corp and the YouTuber FriendlyJordies, suggesting that the pressure was intensifying. Maheswaran reportedly told him that all the harassment would stop if he agreed to resign. Additionally, Maheswaran accused Blackmore of using the mayoral vehicle for a family holiday, a claim Blackmore denied, explaining that the trip was last-minute and no one knew the destination. The experience has left Blackmore feeling unsafe, and he mentioned in a text to Pensabene that he was upset his children had been surveilled. Maheswaran is set to appear before Icac on Friday.