Fraud charges dropped against former homicide detective in collapse of betting fraud case

The collapse of what was dubbed one of NSW’s biggest betting fraud cases has sparked calls for an ex-gratia compensation payment to the homicide detective who lost his career over it.

Former homicide squad detective Anthony Paul Williams has had fraud charges against him dropped. Picture: Natalie O'Brien

Exclusive: A high-profile ex-homicide detective who investigated the deadly bikie brawl at Sydney Airport and the coward punch murder of Thomas Kelly, only to then be charged himself with fraud, has had all the charges against him dropped.

Former Detective Sergeant Anthony (Tony) Paul Williams walked free from the Downing Centre court on Friday and launched a scathing attack on the police anti-corruption watchdog after the collapse of the case against him.

It is the third related case to fall apart in what was once dubbed one of NSW’s biggest betting frauds.

Anthony Paul Williams (left) with his lawyer Danny Eid after the charges were no-billed. Picture: Natalie O'Brien

Mr Williams said the charges against him had been “unjust” and he had been caught up in the crossfire of something else — ending up as “collateral damage”.

He said it was another example of the wrongful pursuit of police officers by the since discredited and disbanded Police Integrity Commission (PIC).

“The more high-profile you are, the more money is poured in, to try and get a ‘scalp’,” Mr Williams said.

The fraud charges were “no billed” on Friday and withdrawn two weeks before the trial was due to start. It comes after professional punter Stephen Fletcher also had similar charges against him thrown out of court after the judge discharged the jury after directing a verdict of acquittal.

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Big time gambler Stephen Fletcher also had similar charges against him thrown out of court. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The charges which related to a gambling syndicate had dragged on for more than six years into the District Court despite the alleged fraud amount being less than $5000, which meant it could have been dealt with in the Local Court.

The case has sparked calls for an inquiry into why the State Government paid private lawyers to run the case in place of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and for an ex gratia compensation payment to be made to Mr Williams for the “misworking of government”.

Danny Eid, lawyer for Mr Williams, said millions of dollars of taxpayers money had been wasted in this case.

“Why did the Attorney-General authorise this case to be conducted in the District Court when it could have been dealt with in the lower court? It was a waste of taxpayers money and a waste of valuable District Court time.”

The Attorney General Mark Speakman said the Office of General Counsel is obtaining advice on the prospects of an appeal from the decision by District Court Judge Beckett to direct verdicts of acquittal in Mr Fletcher’s trial.

“A notice of nolle prosequi suspends a prosecution and does not prevent fresh indictments from being laid in relation to the same matter, should there be a successful appeal or new evidence emerges,” he said.

The PIC, which has since been replaced with the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC), launched an investigation in 2013 into a gambling syndicate in which Mr Williams and Mr Fletcher were involved.

Lawyer Danny Eid said the case against his client wasted millions of taxpayers’ dollars and valuable court time. Picture: Natalie O'Brien

It was alleged Mr Williams and others were opening betting accounts with bet agencies such as Sportingbet for a commission and allowing others to place bets including Mr Fletcher.

Nicknamed “The Professor” for his ability to calculate odds, Mr Fletcher faced trial on 78 counts of fraudulently using the accounts of friends to place bets ranging­ from $9 to tens of thousands.

The high roller, who once pulled off a legal $1 million betting sting, needed the so-called “bowler” accounts because his own account had been closed by one of the online betting agencies.

Raids were launched on Mr Williams home and the offices of the homicide squad where he worked at the time.

Mr Williams and Mr Fletcher were subsequently charged with numerous counts of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception even though during the PIC public hearings in 2013, the Sportingbet Risk and Trading Director, Brad Smyth, told the inquiry that betting on behalf of others did not breach betting website rules.

The PIC was replaced after a string of scathing reports attacking the commission and its operations by the then Inspector oversighting the PIC, Peter Moss.

Mr Williams said it was an appalling investigation that failed the most basic tests.

“If this had been a failed police investigation, where we had charged someone, put the matter before the court and then pulled it two weeks before trial — we would have faced serious questions about our conduct — you would almost lose your job over it.”

Mr Williams said he had endured six years of hell.

“It has cost me my career, my health and my partner,” he said.

In 2005, Mr Fletcher and brothel owner Eddie Hayson famously pulled off the $1 million Lucy’s Light sting, named after the winning greyhound, on the Gold Coast by legally manipulating tote prices to create an exaggerated payout price from corporate bookmakers.

In 2006 the betting partners won an estimated $2 million when they bet on the Newcastle Knights to lose to the Warriors.

Originally published as Fraud charges dropped against former homicide detective in collapse of betting fraud case