Eddie Obeid dubbed ‘King of the Lebs’ in jail and shares cell with paedophile
EXCLUSIVE: Disgraced former MP Eddie Obeid is gravely ill and has been placed in an isolation wing and in protective custody and sharing a cell with an accused paedophile.
NSW
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EVEN in jail, Eddie Obeid was still doing the numbers.
The disgraced Labor powerbroker has been described as “King of the Lebs”, a cult figure for young Lebanese inmates who were treating him like a criminal “Godfather” figure.
“He’s King Of The Lebs at the moment,” one source said.
“I think some of the younger ones see someone that has notoriety and are taken in by that.”
Gravely ill Obeid has been placed in an isolation wing and in protective custody and sharing a cell with an accused paedophile.
Obeid was to have been transferred to the Cooma Correctional Centre but has remained in Silverwater Remand Centre as he battles “serious health issues” since being jailed last year.
A prison source said Obeid had been elevated to the status of The Godfather among some of the younger inmates of the same Lebanese background before he was moved into a secure unit at his own request because of his “high profile”.
Another prison source said the 73-year-old was moved out of the general population and placed into a protective wing with child sex criminals.
Obeid is now sharing a cell with a paedophile of Middle Eastern background.
The source said Obeid, who is the only prisoner in the section with no child sex charges, was likely moved there to prevent him influencing other inmates and for his own safety.
“It’s the most secure protective unit in the jail and it’s reserved for paedophiles and other high-risk inmates,” the source said.
“He would normally not be in that area, but he’s got the potential to be an influence on other inmates.”
Obeid quickly cemented himself a reputation among the prison’s Lebanese population.
Obeid has been fighting to have his conviction overturned due to the incompetence of his lawyers since his appeal against the conviction for wilful misconduct in public office was dismissed.
The source said Obeid appeared “gaunt” and “unrecognisable” as he battles diabetes.
“He’s a shadow of his former self,” the source said.
“He’s very ill. He has serious issues with his blood sugar levels. His health is of serious concern to the department.”
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Obeid was to have been transferred to Cooma Jail in the state’s south, known as the “white collar” prison, but has been attending various medical appointments.
Sources said Obeid was not transferred to Long Bay’s Kevin Waller Unit, which has easy access to medical care, because he had “former associates” within the jail.
Cooma Correctional Centre is known as a working jail and most inmates participate in a range of jobs.
It has a capacity to house 200 prisoners but currently is home to 190 — including the stockbroker husband of Sydney publicist Roxy Jacenko, Oliver Curtis, who is serving a one-year minimum sentence for insider trading.
Obeid has been sentenced to a minimum of three years in jail for wilful misconduct in public office.
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