Money laundering charge against Campbell MacCallum dropped

A charge of money-laundering brought against criminal lawyer Campbell MacCallum by Queensland’s corruption watchdog has been dropped, the decision to charge him described as ‘grossly irresponsible’.

Campbell MacCallum (centre) leaves the Magistrates Court in Brisbane. Picture: Dan Peled

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Embattled lawyer Campbell MacCallum has had a major victory in court after a “baseless” criminal charge brought against him by the corruption watchdog was dropped.

But MacCallum still faces an uphill battle with the future of seven drug-related charges still before the courts.

Defence barrister Patrick McCafferty KC welcomed the decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions to drop the money laundering charge against his client.

“On the most basic analysis of the facts it would have been obvious these charges against Mr MacCallum were baseless and should never have been brought,” Mr McCafferty said during a mention of the matter in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning.

Gold Coast criminal lawyer Campbell MacCallum leaves the Magistrates Court in Brisbane. Picture: Dan Peled

“To charge Mr MacCallum was a grossly irresponsible decision, it represented a serious abuse of process and it was a reckless use of resources.”

Mr McCafferty said the DPP’s decision to discontinue the charge was welcomed and that it was “the only course available”.

“The complete capitulation of these charges should serve as some form of vindication for Mr MacCallum,” he said.

Magistrate Anthony Gett formally dismissed the money laundering charge which was alleged to have been committed on September 29, 2016.

MacCallum is still facing seven charges including five counts of possessing dangerous drugs and two of supplying dangerous drugs.

Magistrate Gett was critical of the delay in escalating the outstanding drugs charges before the court, saying he was “not happy” with the slow progress.

“The matter has to progress, it’s just not good enough,” Magistrate Gett said.

“It’s been languishing in this court for too long.”

Mr McCafferty said disclosure material had been provided by the DPP earlier this month and he intended to make submissions to prosecutors about the resolution of the drugs charges in the coming months.

Magistrate Gett made orders for the drugs charges to progress for committal but said the defence could still make those submissions to the DPP.

The case will be mentioned again on February 27.

Outside court, MacCallum welcomed the decision, saying he was “very pleased with the result”.

“I’m not surprised that that was the outcome,” he said.

“I’m very fortunate I’ve had the access to justice that most others don’t have.”