The NSW ICAC has found no evidence of corruption by John Barilaro or Stuart Ayres in a controversial trade job posting. 

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has concluded its investigation into the controversial appointment of John Barilaro as NSW trade commissioner to the United States, stating that there was no evidence of corrupt conduct by Barilaro or former NSW minister Stuart Ayres. 

The ICAC had secretly launched an investigation last July to determine whether Barilaro or Ayres had breached public trust or acted dishonestly in their official capacities. 

The appointment of Barilaro caused a scandal and was criticised as a “jobs for the boys” scenario by the opposition. 

The controversy prompted a parliamentary inquiry and two independent reviews by Premier Dominic Perrottet. Barilaro, who was also the former trade minister, stepped down from his position in the US trade job later. Ayres, his replacement as trade minister, subsequently resigned from the ministry.

The ICAC's investigation included former public servant Amy Brown, who oversaw the recruitment process, but no evidence of corrupt conduct was found on her part either. 

Ms Brown was, however, fired over the recruitment process. The ICAC has stated that no further action should be taken in regards to the matter.

Meanwhile, Jennifer West, a former NSW deputy secretary for trade and international investment, is suing Barilaro, Ayres, and Brown for misuse of power. 

West was offered a job as trade commissioner in New York but was allegedly sidelined in favour of Barilaro. She claims that her contract with the NSW government was breached when her employment was terminated shortly after the New York job offer was withdrawn. 

West alleges that the three defendants breached their obligations as public office holders by taking actions “pursuant to a public power which should have been exercised for a public purpose”. 

She also calls for compensatory, aggravated and exemplary damages.

The circumstances surrounding Barilaro's appointment to the US job were the subject of a long-running NSW parliamentary inquiry, which found it had “all the trademarks of a ‘job for the boys’ position”. 

The final report also said Investment NSW's treatment of West was “unfair, unprofessional, and sends a terrible message to others applying for these types of roles in the future”. However, the ICAC found no evidence of corruption in the matter. Barilaro, Ayres, and West denied any wrongdoing in relation to the recruitment when they appeared before the parliamentary inquiry.