New South Wales Premier Barry O`Farrell resigns over wine gift

USPA News - Barry O`Farrell, the premier of New South Wales, resigned Wednesday morning after failing to inform a commission about an expensive bottle of wine he had received as a gift three years ago, though he insists it was not on purpose. Australian media received information suggesting O`Farrell had not declared a $3,000 bottle of 1959 Penfolds Grange Hermitage that he had received from businessman Nick Di Girolamo as a gift in 2011.

On Tuesday, O`Farrell denied any truth to the allegation in a statement to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). "The document does not show the item was ever received by me or my wife on either Wednesday 20 April or Thursday 21 April or Good Friday 22 April or at any other time," O`Farrell said, referring to a receipt that had been used in media reports. O`Farrell added, stating: "If I had received a 1959 Grange I would of declared it on my parliamentary and ministerial declaration," according to local media. By Wednesday morning, however, a handwritten thank you note signed by O`Farrell was presented by the Obeid family, the head of the company that had given him the bottle of wine. This was quickly shown to ICAC, after which the leader of Australia`s most populous state resigned about an hour later. O`Farrell still claims that he does not recall the bottle of wine. "The regret for me, Counsel, is having seen the letter, having seen the envelope, it still does not spark a recollection," he said. O`Farrell could be facing imprisonment of up to five years due to misleading the ICAC, according to local media.