Michael Goodwin pens letter of support for Laurie Maher’s name supression bid in child sex case
Michael Goodwin, the husband of former Masterchef winner Julie, wrote a letter in support of ex-mayor Laurie Maher’s bid to have his name suppressed in relation to charges of multiple child sex offences dating back four decades.
Central Coast
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The husband of inagural Masterchef winner Julie Goodwin, wrote a letter in support of alleged child sex offender Laurie Maher.
Michael Goodwin, the former vice president of Coast Shelter, as well as the centre’s director Gavin Shepherd provided affadavits to court supporting a bid to suppress former CEO, Mr Maher’s name.
Mr Shepherd resigned effective immediately on Wednesday after the charity learned he provided an affidavit purporting to be supported by the charity.
Mr Goodwin, who resigned as Coast Shelter’s vice president in March, also provided an affidavit in support of Mr Maher’s application.
The statements were used in a suppression order application on Monday when Mr Maher’s historical child abuse allegations were first listed for mention at Penrith Local Court.
In a statement, Coast Shelter said Mr Shepherd resigned after the charity learned he provided a personal affidavit in support of former Coast Shelter CEO Mr Maher.
“The board of Coast Shelter did not authorise or condone the affidavit or any of the views expressed by Mr Shepherd in that affidavit,” the statement read.
“Its contents in no way reflect the culture or values of Coast Shelter.
“Coast Shelter is also aware of another affidavit supplied by a former vice president of Coast Shelter, Michael Goodwin. Mr Goodwin resigned from the board in March this year. Once again, the contents of this affidavit are Mr Goodwin’s personal views which are not shared or condoned by Coast Shelter.”
The statement further added Mr Maher, who retired as the charity’s CEO in 2018, was charged with child sex offences dating back more than 40 years, when he was employed in the public service.
“The charges do not relate to activity at Coast Shelter,” it read.
“Coast Shelter said the possibility of the organisation being unfairly portrayed in the legal matter relating to Mr Maher was deeply upsetting for its dedicated staff and volunteers and those it serves in the community.”
Citing Mr Shepherd and Mr Goodwin’s affidavits, Mr Maher’s barrister Paul Rossa told Penrith Local Court they expressed concerns about possible reputational damage to the charity as a result of its links to Mr Maher.
“The potential for harm to persons and activities of great public utility could be compromised if he is named,” Mr Rossa said.
News Corp challenged the suppression order with barrister Dauid Sibtain describing the evidence provided by the defence as “hopelessly inadequate”.
“Embarrassment to a party or a witness has never been grounds for the granting of a suppression order,” he said.
“Concerns about the reputation of a charity has never been the basis for the granting of a non-publication order.”
Magistrate Margaret McGlynn rejected the suppression order and said there was no evidence to suggest the charity would be affected by the allegations levelled against its former chief executive.
When contacted by the Express Advocate Mr Shepherd confirmed he provided the affidavit.
“I have been asked not to comment,” he said.
“I did raise an affidavit, it was not successful. I really can’t say much more.”
Mr Goodwin declined to comment.
Coast Shelter, meanwhile, said although it was dismayed by the criminal allegations against Mr Maher, everyone needed to respect the justice process to ensure fair and transparent outcomes.