Our Journalists

Ben ButlerNational Investigations Editor

Ben Butler has investigated everything from bikie gangs to multibillion dollar international frauds, with a particular focus on the intersection between the corporate and criminal worlds. He has previously worked for mastheads including The Age, The Australian and The Guardian.

Ben Butler

Latest

Police & Courts

12/09/2002 PIRATE: 12/9/2002. Ian Collins launches the Carlton One ticket to challenge the board at Carlton. Digital image.

Blues legend labels Ivanhoe Ponzi scheme ‘a disgrace’

Former Carlton president Ian Collins has kicked off court action over an alleged $100m Ponzi scheme headed by his late friend, saying he was “in the proverbial at the moment.”

Companies

Thief hacking and stealing information by using computers late night

‘Crims cause chaos’: Urgent Aussie warning

Australian companies, banks, airports, schools and universities have been issued a stern warning as criminals look for easy money.

National

Two-day contested hearing for disgraced lawyer Patrick Lennon after he was arrested with ice and $6k in his car at Stonnington. Evidence expected to be heard from four police witnesses and Hava Brandman, who was in the car when he was found with drugs. POSITIVE ID ASH ARGOON. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

How Pat Lennon collected Mick Gatto’s debts

Efforts by former lawyer Pat Lennon, who admitted in court to smoking meth, to recover money for underworld figure Mick Gatto, have been revealed in previously secret emails.

National

Footballer Jose Romero. AFL football - Essendon vs Western Bulldogs match at Colonial Stadium 28 Jul 2000.

AFL legend in court over $280k construction woes

Western Bulldogs star turned property developer Jose Romero promised one buyer he wouldn’t let him down and then allegedly delivered a development with a disconnected toilet.

VideoPolice & Courts

Adrian Portelli took to social media on Monday to respond to claims he stripped more than $100,000 worth of goods from a Block house. Picture: Instagram

Lambo Guy launches giveaway of ‘missing’ Block items

Adrian Portelli has taken to social media to promote a new giveaway of more than $100,000 worth of items, which he was captured on CCTV removing from a Block house.

Business

Darren Misquitta, managing director of Sprint Capitol. Supplied

$9m bill: Aussie accused of not paying childcare centre rent

A Melbourne businessman is being pursued by landlords for $9m after allegedly failing to pay the rent on a childcare centre.

ExclusiveCompanies

The business empires of Adrian Portelli and Troy Williams

Adrian Portelli and Tory Williams, known as ‘Candyman 2.0’, both love their luxe lifestyles and fast cars. Now, we can reveal some of the secrets behind the pair’s business empires.

ExclusiveCompanies

$60m lottery business of ‘Lambo Guy’ under investigation

Known as ‘Lambo Guy’, Adrian Portelli is the famous multi-millionaire bidder on The Block. Now his lottery business is being investigated by two states, and he says he’s got nothing to hide.

ExclusiveWorld

Travel blogger Adriana Matak (Kupresak), 36, and her investment advisor husband Luka Matak, 31, both formerly of Sydney, are being held in Remetinec prison in the Croatian capital Zagreb. Source - www.adrianakupresak.com,

Glam Aussie couple’s jail hell

Alleged Australian fraudsters Luka and Adriana Matak, who once led a glamorous life in Sydney, are now behind bars in a jail “a hundred times worse” than Russian prisons.

ExclusiveCompanies

Hermes, Rolex: Aussie couple’s luxe life that lured investors

The former Sydney couple, who are facing fraud charges in Croatia, flaunted a beautiful lifestyle that made potential investors want a slice of their own.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/ben-butler/page/8