Le was dismissed from Transport for NSW in February following the revelations, while Helmy remains at large, accused of pocketing millions over 15 years.

An anti-corruption investigation in NSW has uncovered a widespread scheme involving Transport for NSW officials Ibrahim Helmy and Peter Le, who allegedly orchestrated multimillion-dollar kickbacks from at least nine companies, including Lack Group and Direct Traffic, with contracts totaling over $343 million.

Helmy, a Transport for NSW specialist, is accused of pocketing approximately $11.5 million in cash, gold, and cryptocurrency over 15 years through corrupt relationships with contractors, and has been on the run since failing to appear before ICAC in May.

Peter Le, a former official, admitted to accepting cash payments and bonuses from Helmy since 2018, including through private messages discussing inflating work orders and splitting profits, while denying direct receipt of money from Helmy.

Messages reveal that Le and Helmy discussed manipulating tender processes, including inflating figures to ensure certain contractors like Avijohn Contracting were awarded work, and planning to receive kickbacks ranging from 1.5% to 3% of contract values.

A WhatsApp chat showed Helmy and Le discussing cash payments over gift cards, with Helmy preferring cash due to limited usability of gift cards, highlighting the illicit nature of their transactions.

Le acknowledged accepting cash and a bonus from Helmy, and admitted to inflating work orders and assisting with arrangements dating back to 2018, but denied receiving money directly from Helmy.

Helmy expressed disdain for his family business, Direct Traffic, attempting to exclude it from tenders despite it being the lowest bidder, and messages indicate efforts to manipulate contractor selection processes.

Le also withheld information about his improper dealings with line-marking companies, including Capital Lines & Signs and Complete Linemarking, which he discussed through private messages with inappropriate language and innuendo.

Messages from 2018 show Le and Helmy discussing inflating work orders, splitting profits, and manipulating tender processes without contractor involvement, revealing a pattern of corruption over several years.

Le recognized that denying knowledge of Helmy receiving benefits could harm their business for up to five years, a realization he expressed during the inquiry.

Le falsely claimed ignorance about Helmy receiving benefits from contractors and denied receiving cash or gift cards himself, risking imprisonment for providing false statements.

Late 2023 phone messages between Helmy and his former assistant, Peter Le, exposed attempts to manipulate contractor selection, including efforts to prevent Direct Traffic from securing work and control tender panels.

Le and Helmy met with contractor Michael Kennedy of Avijohn Contracting multiple times, during which Kennedy handed them cash payments of $5,000 and $10,000.

Le confirmed he manipulated figures to ensure Avijohn was the lowest bidder, securing the work through falsified data.

Le admitted to assisting Helmy's scheme since 2018, starting in 2019, and revealed Helmy’s goal to hide his influence by bypassing standard procedures and line managers.

Le shared sensitive operational plans with Helmy without company knowledge and received about $5,000 in cash for his role, contradicting his claim of only receiving a single $200 gift card.

The investigation, Operation Wyvern, involved raids and seizure of assets such as gold, cash, cryptocurrency, and a Maserati from Helmy’s properties.