Richard Buttrose takes police to NSW Administrative Appeals Tribunal

Convicted cocaine dealer Richard Buttrose has launched an appeal over his ten-year claim that a trusted adviser stole more than $1 million from him while he was in jail.

Convicted cocaine dealer Richard Buttrose has launched an appeal over his ten-year claim that a trusted Adviser stole more than $1 million from him while he was in jail.

In 2009, Mr Buttrose was sensationally arrested for supplying a “large commercial quantity” of cocaine to Sydney’s well-connected eastern suburbs set. He pleaded guilty to all charges and ended up serving nine years in prison.

The 49-year-old nephew of Ita Buttrose claimed the Adviser forged his initials on a document to withdraw $1.15 million from his accounts.

In 2012, while still in jail, Mr Buttrose reported the alleged fraud to police but the investigation was suspended due to lack of evidence.

Then after his release in 2017, Mr Buttrose had the document forensically analysed by three of Sydney’s top handwriting experts who all agreed that the initials on the alleged altered document could not have been made by Mr Buttrose.

Former cocaine dealer Richard Buttrose in Double Bay after his release from prison. Picture: Toby Zerna

Mr Buttrose provided the forensic reports and a statement to detectives at City of Sydney police and claims he was told by the officer in charge he believed there was now sufficient evidence to pursue Buttrose’s once-trusted Adviser.

The lead investigator was transferred to another station and the case taken off him and handed to another officer who then suspended the investigation saying he believed there was not enough evidence to proceed but did not give a detailed explanation.

Because of this, Mr Buttrose made a Government Information Public Access application to view the police file and investigation notes.

In July this year the police provided the file to Mr Buttrose but most of the 18 page document had been redacted.

Former cocaine dealer Richard Buttrose is now studying to become a lawyer. Picture: Toby Zerna

One Detective noted in the file Mr Buttrose was “in a position to support a prima facie case that the Person of Interest used a false instrument to defraud him of money from his bank account and funds held with the NSW Crime Commission’’.

But the redacted police files do not show whether the police examined the forensic reports or if in fact they interviewed the “Person of Interest”.

Mr Buttrose, who is now studying law, is representing himself in his appeal against the police. In proceedings filed in the NSW Administrative Appeals Tribunal, Mr Buttrose has asked to be provided with the unredacted police file.

In August, the appeal went before the Tribunal where a Judge ordered that “Mr Buttrose’s application for access to specified government information be returned to the Commissioner of Police for reconsideration”.

The case will be back in the Tribunal on 27 September 2021.