The Snitch: Alan Jones and lawyer Chris Murphy’s decades-long links

Why was Alan Jones’ lawyer a short-odds bet? What’s the story with the broadcaster’s eye-catching tracksuit? And what’s the latest drama with a Sydney pub baron? The Snitch is here.

As soon as news broke that broadcaster Alan Jones had been arrested over indecent assault allegations, it was an odds-on bet that he would be represented by firebrand Sydney lawyer Chris Murphy.

Snitch has been told their relationship stretches back decades, when Jones would refer clients to Murphy.

They often came in the form of rugby league players in trouble that Jones was well-known for taking under his wing.

Alan Jones and Chris Murphy leave the police station after Jones was granted bail on Monday. Picture: Liam Mendes

One included the late Balmain Tigers and South Sydney Rabbitohs player Jacin Sinclair, whose promising career was cut short by personal problems before he died in 2012 at just 38 years old.

Given Jones’ powerful position as one of Sydney’s most influential figures, few would ever have predicted we would reach the point where Murphy would be called on to represent the broadcaster on criminal charges.

Jacin Sinclair playing for Souths

Murphy (right) with Russell Crowe at the footy.

It is understood Jones is preparing to defend the case against him.

Murphy is also plugged into the South Sydney Rabbitohs and is frequently seen sitting behind owner and Hollywood megastar Russell Crowe at matches.

Jones acted as the Rabbitohs’ manager of football operations following a stint as the Tigers’ head coach from 1991-93.

We contacted Murphy, who wouldn’t be drawn questions on whether any other high-profile people attached to either Jones or the Rabbitohs played a part in him landing Sydney’s biggest criminal case.

James Packer? “No comment”.

John Singleton? “Goodbye”.

*Click*.

JUST SAY WOAH

Still on Jones, his arrest created an unfortunate product placement moment for sportswear giant Nike.

Beyond the long list of charges Jones is facing, the secondary issue that set tongues wagging was the eye-catching green tracksuit with matching slippers the broadcaster wore when he presented to Day Street Police Station to be charged on Monday.

Jones at Day Street Police Station on Monday. Picture: Dylan Coker

Snitch can reveal that Jones’ fetching ensemble is the Nike Heritage Suit — made up of the “Court Tennis Jacket” and the “Heritage Suit Pants” — with the colour described as “Gorge Green and Coconut Milk”.

According to its entry on The Iconic fashion website, Nike created the two-piece ensemble in its “pursuit of optimum human performance”.

On that subject, Jones’s status as an elite tennis player in his earlier years is well documented.

But it seems there is a move from The Iconic, to clear the stock.

The jacket has been slashed from $110 to $45.99, while the pants have been slashed from $95 to $39.20 with an extra 30 per cent off at checkout.

We wondered if this was because of it being associated with Jones’ arrest?

But it’s more likely because the retailer is trying to shift the last remaining XL sizes in stock with the other sizes selling out.

So maybe any publicity is good publicity?

BANKRUPTCY FIGHT

Under-siege Sydney pub baron Jon Adgemis has another problem on his hands: fighting off a bankruptcy claim in the Federal Court of Australia.

On Monday, Adgemis filed an application with the court to have a bankruptcy notice set aside. The notice was taken out against Adgemis by Richard Gazal, the son of late rag trader Joe Gazal.

Hospitality baron Jon Adgemis is fighting off a bankruptcy claim. Picture: David Swift

Gazal had been pursuing Adgemis over financial debts, with the battle now heading to the Federal Court.

Adgemis had been a famed deal-maker for financial giant KPMG, and attempted to reinvent himself as a contender for Justin Hemmes’ mantle of Sydney’s top hospitality boss.

As such, Adgemis went into miles of debt as he went on a pub and venue-buying spree.

Things have gone south and the wolves now at the door.

This week, reports emerged that the Commonwealth Bank appointed receivers to the company that holds Adgemis’ 95 foot yacht, Hiilani.

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