Two former officials from the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) have been sentenced to prison after confessing to accepting substantial bribes.

Darren Greenfield, aged 60, and his 40-year-old son, Michael, admitted to receiving cash payments, occasionally in literal under-the-table transactions. These bribes were exchanged for favorable treatment and contract access for a building company.

During the sentencing at Sydney’s Central District Court, Judge Leonie Flannery described the actions of the senior union figures as a “gross breach of trust.”

“The offenders exploited the union’s influence for their personal gain rather than to serve its members,” Judge Flannery stated.

While acknowledging that Darren Greenfield, who served as the NSW branch secretary for the CFMEU, did not initiate the bribes, Judge Flannery noted that he accepted them during a vulnerable moment.

Both father and son remained silent, with their hands resting in their laps, as they listened to the judge’s remarks in court.

They were sentenced to a combined maximum total of four years in prison.

Darren Greenfield took four bribes totalling $20,000 between November 2018 and June 2020. 

His son, the branch’s assistant state secretary and former rugby league player, accepted two payments which amounted to $10,000 over two-and-a-half months in 2019.

Michael Greenfield also tried to avoid a penalty for running a red light by signing a false statutory declaration which pinned the blame on an illegal Taiwanese worker.

The CMFEU was placed into administration in 2024 after allegations of corruption and links to organised crime.

Darren Greenfield was terminated on the same day, several weeks after Michael resigned amid media scrutiny.

The elder Greenfield was sentenced to up to 30 months but will be released after 10 months.

His son was hit with a maximum sentence of 18 but will be released in six.

Both will be required to pay $500 and remain on good behaviour while serving the remainder of their sentence in the community.

The person who bribed the elder Greenfield told police he handed over the wads of cash because the CMFEU state secretary “helped us do things”, the court was previously told.

The man, who cannot be named, was in 2022 sentenced to two-and-a-half years’ imprisonment, to be served in the community.