Melbourne Gangland: Tomislav ‘Tommy’ Ivanovic splits with lawyer Anthony Condello
The prime suspect in a decades old unsolved Melbourne gangland murder has parted ways with his high-profile lawyer just three months before a crucial court hearing is set to begin.
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Gangland murder suspect Tomislav “Little Tommy” Ivanovich has sensationally parted ways with his high-profile defence counsel Anthony Condello.
Ivanovic’s shock split with Mr Condello comes just three months before he returns to court on fraud charges.
Ivanovich, 44, is fighting charges of obtaining a financial advantage by deception and attempting to obtain a financial advantage by deception.
Mr Condello had represented Ivanovic at each of the alleged fraudster’s prior court appearances including a failed bail application at the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on January 16 this year.
The court heard, at that time, Ivanovic was under investigation for the 2000 murder of gangland figure Richard Mladenich, and cocaine trafficking.
Purana Taskforce Detective Senior Constable Cameron Mitchell testified at that hearing he believed Ivanovic was an “unacceptable risk”.
He confirmed Purana detectives were 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.
Ivanovic – who wore an ankle bracelet that detects alcohol consumption – had remained drug free up until his arrest.
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Ivanovic made a brief court appearance via videolink at Sunshine on March 16 but this time represented by lawyer Melinda Walker.
Ms Walker told the court she did not know why Ivanovic needed to appear because the appearance was booked by her client’s “previous counsel”.
However, Ms Walker successfully obtained subpoenaed court documents on behalf of her client.
The matter returns on June 29.