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‘Hundreds’ of Aussie convictions in doubt after mob lawyer named as informant
SYDNEY, Dec 3, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Hundreds of criminal convictions — including
those meted out to some of Australia’s most notorious gangland figures —
hang the balance, after their defence lawyer was revealed as a police
informant Monday.
Court documents disclosed that a high-profile Melbourne barrister had for
years been giving information to Victoria Police, while representing clients
like crime boss Tony Mokbel and six of his associates.
The revelation came after court injunctions were lifted Monday, blowing
the lid off one of the biggest legal scandals to hit the country in years and
prompting the authorities to immediately announce a public inquiry.
In a secret court battle spanning more than two years, police had tried to
stop state prosecutors from informing the seven people about their
barrister’s supergrass role.
They were finally knocked back by Australia’s highest court last month.
The High Court blasted police as being “guilty of reprehensible conduct”
and said they were “involved in sanctioning atrocious breaches of the sworn
duty of every police officer”.
“The prosecution of each convicted person was corrupted in a manner which
debased fundamental premises of the criminal justice system,” the High Court
added in a scathing judgement.
While the courts only mentioned Mokbel and his associates, more than 600
cases could be tainted, according to Melbourne’s Herald Sun.
The High Court decision means criminals would be notified that their
barrister, who still cannot be named, was a police informant, thus possibly
affecting their cases.
It would mean these criminals could then appeal their convictions.
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews on Monday announced a royal commission
into the scandal, saying the public had a “right to know that every part of
the justice system acts fairly and lawfully at all times”.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1130 hrs