SA Police officer Kelly Calicchio pleads not guilty to using confidential information to secure benefit

An Adelaide police officer will stand trial after pleading not guilty to claims she misused confidential information – with a co-accused now also in court.

An SA Police officer has denied claims she misused confidential insider information and will take her matter to trial – with a court hearing for the first time another person is also charged over the matter.

Constable Calicchio, 29, faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday where she pleaded not guilty to one count of using information to secure a benefit as a public officer. Her co-accused Kim Linh Tran, 30, is yet to enter any pleas to one count of aiding and abetting after also facing court on Wednesday.

Defence counsel, for Ms Calicchio, initially requested an adjournment in front of Magistrate Simon Smart – submitting there was a “mutual application” to postpone the matter.

“Within the last few days, I was advised by the Solicitors’ Conduct that there is now a co-accused charged with aid and abet,” they said.

“My client is not in a position to answer the charge.

“If the matter, for my client, is committalled today we will then have a disjointed committal process and arraignment process because the co-accused is only listed for charge determination this afternoon.”

Constable Kelly Calicchio, left, leaves Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday after pleading not guilty to Using information to secure benefit. Picture: Charlie Dadds

She has been suspended from her duties as a police officer. Picture: SAPOL

Mr Smart said he didn’t “see the point” in delaying the matter, and asked Ms Calicchio to enter her pleas.

“Kelly Calicchio, you are charged with on January 24, 2025, at Henley Beach, you – being a public officer – improperly used information gained by virtue of your public officer status with the intention of securing a benefit for yourself or another person,” Mr Smart said. “How do you plead?”

“Not guilty,” Ms Calicchio said.

Court documents obtained by The Advertiser allege Ms Tran, of Kilburn, “aided, abetted, counselled or procured” Ms Calicchio to commit an offence by “improperly using information she had gained by virtue of her office”.

Earlier this year, Ms Calicchio faced the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court for the first time following her January arrest.

She was arrested and charged as a result of a “lengthy investigation” by SA Police’s Anti-Corruption Section detectives.

Kelly Calicchio leaves Port Adelaide Magistrate’s Court after her first appearance in February. Picture: Brett Hartwig

An SA Police spokesman previously said Ms Calicchio had been suspended from duties since her arrest.

Last year, The Advertiser revealed a new report that detailed criminal investigations into the conduct of SA Police officers have been hindered by fellow officers refusing to co-operate with the state’s anti-corruption commission.

Ms Calicchio is not charged in relation to that report.

Mr Smart remanded Ms Calicchio on continuing bail to face the District Court in September, where she will be arraigned for trial.

Ms Tran was also remanded on continuing bail, and will face court again in August to answer her charge.

Originally published as SA Police officer Kelly Calicchio pleads not guilty to using confidential information to secure benefit