CFMEU boss John Setka to plead guilty to harassing woman
Union boss John Setka will plead guilty to harassing a woman after cutting a deal with prosecutors which saw assault-related charges struck out.
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Union boss John Setka will plead guilty to harassing a woman after cutting a deal with prosecutors which saw dozens of charges struck out.
Thirty charges including recklessly cause injury and assault were withdrawn this morning as lawyers for the CFMEU leader indicated he will plead guilty to the remaining two offences.
Mr Setka will formally plead guilty to using a carriage service to harass the victim, who can’t be named, at West Footscray in October last year.
He will also admit to another charge.
Details of the allegations against him were not aired in a brief committal mention in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today.
Wearing a bold paisley printed shirt, Mr Setka did not speak during his short court appearance with his lawyer Marcus Dempsey telling Magistrate Suzanne Cameron the matter had been resolved.
In January, Mr Setka issued a statement referring to the “enormous strain” on his family life as a result of his union work following media reports of his alleged offending.
“Over the last three years my wife Emma and my children David, Kate and Johnny have suffered immensely from the ongoing political and ideological attacks on myself as a union leader,” he wrote.
“This has been an extremely enormous strain on our family unit and it has taken its toll on each of us as individuals.
“I ask that while family members are seeking to recover from this tumultuous period in their personal lives that they are given the privacy to do so.”
He will return to court next month for a plea hearing.