public office, in relation to aiding, abetting, counselling and procuring the commission of the two offences by Mr Macdonald"; and for giving false and misleading evidence to the ICAC. In December 2015, the Supreme Court heard that Macdonald was unable to secure Legal Aid funding to pay for legal representation in his criminal trial. The Judge commented that a Dietrich application was a "potential collateral challenge to the trial date." It was estimated that Macdonald's defence legal costs would be between 250,000 and 1.5 million. In March 2017 a criminal trial before a Supreme Court jury found that Macdonald was guilty of misconduct in public office. Sentenced on 2 June, Macdonald is serving a ten-year sentence, of which seven years were without parole. Immediately following his sentencing, Macdonald's lawyers advised that he would appeal against his conviction. The NSW Court of Criminal Appeal handed down its findings on 25 February 2019 and quashed Macdonald and Maitland's convictions, ordering a retrial. Both men were released from custody on the same day and granted bail. In handing down its findings the Court found that: Prior to his sentencing, the NSW Parliament passed legislation to remove parliamentary pensions from former politicians convicted of serious criminal offences. In late May 2017 Macdonald was also committed to stand trial on conspiracy charges with Obeid, and his son, Moses Obeid, relating to Macdonald's granting of a coal exploration licence involving the Mount Penny tenement; due to commence in March 2019. All three were tried before Justice Elizabeth Fullerton, and the trial commenced in early 2020 and concluded in February 2021. None of the accused gave evidence at their trial. Justice Fullerton handed down her verdict on 19 July, finding all three guilty. On 21 October, Macdonald was sentenced to nine years and six months, with a non-parole period of five years and three months, over his part in the conspiracy to gain a mining lease over the Obeid’s family farm at Bylong. Macdonald, together with Obeid, have lodged an appeal against their conviction, claiming that Justice Fullerton made a number of errors of fact and reasoning when she found them guilty. Despite applying for bail, Macdonald is in custody with the appeal expected to be heard in September 2022., later delayed to April 2023. References External links Members of the New South Wales Legislative Council 1949 births Living people Australian Labor Party members of the Parliament