Rosso challenges OC probe in court

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Lands and Physical Planning John Rosso has filed an application in the National Court seeking leave to challenge the Ombudsman Commission’s decision to investigate him.

The investigation concerns allegations of misconduct in office relating to income declarations from 2016, prior to his entry into Parliament.

Rosso’s lawyer, Brendan Lai, told the court his client strongly denies wrongdoing and argues the probe is tainted by bias, bad faith, and improper purpose.

He said the investigation started after a personal land dispute between Mr Rosso’s daughter, Emma Rosso, and Chief Ombudsman Richard Pagen.

According to the application, the dispute arose in 2025.

Rosso claims Pagen pressured him via WhatsApp messages to intervene, and when he refused, the Ombudsman Commission accelerated its investigation.

On March 23, 2026, Rosso received a formal notice of investigation [“Right to be Heard”], to which he responded on May 7, 2026.

Lawyers representing the Ombudsman Commission and Chief Ombudsman Richard Pagen rejected claims of bias, insisting the investigation is a normal constitutional process that must not be stalled. They asked the court to refuse leave.

If leave is granted, Rosso’s case may proceed with a full judicial review.

The Ombudsman Commission’s decision could be quashed if bias or improper purpose is proven.

On the other hand, if leave is refused, the investigation will continue, potentially leading to referral to the Public Prosecutor and the convening of a Leadership Tribunal.

The case will return to court next Monday, May 18, for the court to make a decision on whether it should proceed to a judicial review.