Carl Williams compensation deal for brutal prison death struck with Victorian Government

UPDATE: SLAIN gangland figure Carl Williams’ only daughter Dhakota will receive a secret six figure payout over his jail house death.

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SLAIN gangland figure Carl Williams’ only daughter Dhakota will receive a secret six figure payout over his jail house death.

The State Government, however, will not pay any money to her mother, Roberta, or grandfather, George, who withdrew their claims.

The payout was struck on Tuesday after a two-year battle by the Williams’s to get compensation for the mental harm Williams’ death in custody caused them.

The maximum payout Dhakota, 14, was able to claim was $371,000.

It is believed she will get less than half that amount, which will be put in trust until she turns 18-years-old.

Carl Williams was bashed to death at maximum security Barwon Prison by gang leader Matthew Johnson on April 19, 2010.

He was cooperating with police over the murders of Terrence and Christine Hodson when he was killed.

Roberta Williams was unaware a compensation amount had been clinched, although it was clear Dhakota would receive a payout more than a week ago.

State Government Attorney General Martin Pakula released a statement about the settlement, which came weeks after it passed a law prohibiting Roberta and George from full compensation.

“The Victorian Government has reached a settlement in the matter of the Williams family versus the State of Victoria,’’ it said.

:The Victorian Government will not pay any compensation to George or Roberta Williams, and George and Roberta Williams have agreed to withdraw their claims for damages against the State.

“The State has agreed to settle the proceeding brought by Dhakota Williams.

“The terms of this settlement are confidential and are subject to formal approval by the Supreme Court.

“The Government denies any liability regarding Mr Williams’ death in 2010 and the terms of settlement reflect this.

“Any funds paid to a minor are held in a court trust fund, supervised by the Senior Master of the Supreme, until the minor turns 18.’’

Controversial legislation was passed last month stopping Roberta and George continuing on with their case.

Although the Williams’ will not challenge the law, it is likely to be challenged in another case.

The law, dubbed the Roberta law, prohibits people with convictions for profit motivated crime, such as drug trafficking, from all but a fraction of the maximum compensation for harm committed to a relative in prison.

The Williams’s lawyer, Nicole Spicer, said they were pleased with the outcome, but the new law needed to be challenged.

“On the one hand we have real concerns about the fact the government has implemented legislation which appears to be specifically directed at one individual litigant,’’ Ms Spicer said.

“We are hopeful the that law will be challenged in the future.

“We are pleased, however, that an innocent child will be receiving substantial compensation in relation to what occurred in relation to her father’s death.’’

The payout comes as the Williams’ family are under attack from unknown assailants.

This includes a shooting attack on the home of George Williams that may have led to a police pursuit that ended with a policeman being shot in the back of the head.

Opposition spokesman John Pesutto hit out at the deal.

“Daniel Andrews must ensure that not a single cent of his compo money is able to be used for the personal benefit of adult members of the Williams clan,” he said.

“The public is owed a full and honest explanation from Daniel Andrews on why he has agreed to pay this compensation.”

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