The Snitch: Sacked ABF boss Roman Quaedvlieg still planning tell-all book

The most talked about love story in law enforcement got its day in court this week. But the appearance of former Australian Border Force boss Roman Quaedvlieg and his girlfriend Sarah Rogers at the Downing Centre could be just a support act to the main show.

• Sarah Rogers pleads guilty to misleading investigators
• Sacked ABF boss to write ‘explosive’ tell-all book

The most talked about love story in law enforcement got its day in court this week. But the appearance of former Australian Border Force boss Roman Quaedvlieg and his girlfriend Sarah Rogers at the Downing Centre could be just a support act to the main show.

A month after he suddenly cancelled his book contract with Melbourne University Publishing, The Snitch can reveal Quaedvlieg is now talking with two publishers who seemed “genuinely enthused” about his manuscript.

Roman Quaedvlieg, Sarah Rogers and their lawyer at Downing Centre Courts. Picture: John Grainger

“I’ve said once before that normally career public servants have a valedictory send-off which tells a story about their career contribution,” he said.

“And unfortunately the circumstances of my departure were such that no one is going to tell my story except me.”

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While we’re sure the chapters about his time as ACT’s Chief Police Officer will be riveting, undoubtedly the real page turners will document his acrimonious departure from the ABF in 2018.

The veteran law enforcement officer, who maintains his innocence, was stood down after an investigation into his relationship with Ms Rogers and her job with the ABF.

Ms Rogers pleaded guilty this week to giving misleading information during the investigation about the union.

Quaedvlieg wouldn’t say how deeply his book explored the relationship, saying only that it covered the “bookends” of his career.

PRISON COMFORTS

Even crims need some creature comforts to ease their time behind bars.

According to Snitch correspondent Jack Morphet, who obtained NSW Corrective Service’s latest “weekly grocery buy-up list”, inmates can spend $100 a week on little luxuries like lamingtons, lip balm and goat’s milk soap for sensitive skin.

They can even get a loofah and bottle of pink Lux Petal Touch moisturising body wash for less than a tenner. What a bargain.

Health-conscious inmates are catered for too, with quinoa thins ($2.40), pumpkin seeds ($2.95) and Macadamia Dream nut bars ($2.45) available.

For prisoners with itchy or stiff prison-issued tracksuits and blankets, the lavender-scented fabric softener ($2.50 for 250ml) is a steal.

LEGAL HOT SHOT

He’s no jailhouse lawyer but Klaus Basche knows a thing or two about life behind bars.

The criminal solicitor’s clients probably don’t realise he played a hand in capturing a murderer in a prison escape.

Luke John Cotterill, was jailed for murdering Mudgee teen Michelle Morrissey.

The former NSW Corrective Services officer was working as a transport officer on a prison truck in 2010 when Luke John Cotterill made a run for it.

As he legged it through Little Hartley, near Mt Victoria, Mr Basche shot at the escapee.

“It was three shots actually,” he told The Snitch.

Nursing gunshot wounds, Cotterill was jailed for the murder of 19-year-old Michelle Morrissey.

Mr Basche, who now works for Oliver’s Lawyers in the Blue Mountains, said he couldn’t go back to shift and prison work and after 14 years, so he took up a mate’s half-hearted challenge to study law.

“I spent nearly 10 years in court escort security, where your job was to take different prisoners to different courts,” he said.

“I popped into a courtroom and had a bit of a listen and got to know some of the solicitors and a prosecutor, who became a good mate.

“It was a bit of a joke, and he said ‘Basche, you could do this’ and I said ‘right you’re on’.”

He was admitted as a lawyer in 2017.

FADI’S FREEDOM
It seems Fadi Ibrahim has cabin fever.

The brother of Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim has had his stringent bail conditions varied so he can go to Kiama with his son next month.

Fadi Ibrahim (left) leaves Central Local Court after applying for a change to his bail conditions. Picture: Toby Zerna

For two days in March Fadi, who is facing money laundering charges, won’t be subject to his onerous bail conditions, including a night curfew and the AFP vetting his list of friends.

The reprieve doesn’t come easy.
He needs to provide a detailed itinerary to police, including his estimated arrival and return times and accommodation, a week ahead of departure.

According to his conditions, he needs to be by his son’s side the entire time and can’t even think about turning off the M1 until the Kiama exit.

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