Melbourne Gangland: murder suspect Tomislav ‘Little Tommy’ Ivanovic denied bail for fraud
Gangland figure Tomislav “Little Tommy” Ivanovic will remain behind bars after it was revealed in court he is a prime suspect in the murder of a man inside a St Kilda motel.
North West
Don't miss out on the headlines from North West. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Alleged fraudster Tomislav “Little Tommy” Ivanovich has been denied bail after a court heard he is under investigation for the 2000 murder of gangland figure Richard Mladenich, and cocaine trafficking.
Ivanovic, from Brunswick, today fronted Sunshine Magistrates Court via video link wearing a prison issue orange T-shirt for a bail application.
Ivanovich, 44, has been charged with obtaining financial advantage by deception and attempting to obtain a financial advantage by deception.
And Purana Taskforce Detective Senior Constable Cameron Mitchell testified he believed Ivanovic was an “unacceptable risk”.
He confirmed Purana detectives are investigating Ivanovic for suspected cocaine trafficking in a “large commercial quantity”, and the unsolved murder of Mladenich.
Mladenich was gunned down in a St Kilda motel room in May 2000.
Regarding the current charges, police allege Ivanovic and three co-accused – including his de facto partner – conspired to commit insurance fraud.
Ivanovic allegedly plotted with a Sunshine panel beater to “fabricate a collision” between his partner’s Mercedes Benz and a car owned by the panel beater’s stepdaughter.
AAMI Insurance paid out $12,000 for the Mercedes and $3000 for the other car.
Police allege the Mercedes was insured for more money than it was worth.
The alleged offending was said to have occurred in September 2019 but Ivanovic was not arrested until October 30.
Police used telephone and SMS intercepts as part of their investigation.
According to police, the money has not been returned to AAMI.
Ivanovic – who wore an ankle bracelet that detects alcohol consumption – had remained drug free up until his arrest.
Snr Constable Mitchell also alleged Ivanovic had played a “much greater” role in the fraud scheme.
“He orchestrated most of it,” Snr Constable Mitchell told the court.
However, Snr Constable Mitchell was unable to provide much detail of where both investigations were at.
Nor could he say when or if charges would be laid.
Lawyer Anthony Condello – representing Ivanovic – said his client shouldn’t be penalised “just because there is a (murder) investigation”.
“(The court) can’t give any weight (to these investigations),” Mr Condello said.
“(There is) no detail where that investigation is presently at.”
Mr Condello said Ivanovic should be granted bail because he was engaged, he and his partner have a four-month-old baby and his elderly mother recently suffered a stroke.
MORE COUNTRY ROAD SUPERVISOR'S $22K FACEBOOK THEFT RACKET
SOCIALITE STOLE MILLIONS TO FLY-IN HOLLYWOOD A-LISTERS
COUPLE DENY COUNCIL CLAIMS THEIR PET BIRDS ARE TOO SMELLY
Magistrate Kay Robertson could not be swayed to grant bail.
“There are investigations, there are suspicions,” she said.
Had Ivanovic been bailed he would still need to apply to the Adult Parole Board before he can be released from custody.
The matter will return to court on January 23.