Roberta Williams’ cameraman loses work with Victoria Police after arrest
He’s caught up in allegations of kidnapping and extortion, alongside gangland widow Roberta Williams — but now cameraman Daniel De Silva has lost out big time with Victoria Police.
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A cameraman charged with Roberta Williams over an alleged violent warehouse confrontation has lost some well-paid work — with police.
Daniel De Silva had been commissioned to do filming for Victoria Police in the past and had also shot video for the Crime Stoppers organisation.
But the same force which had engaged him to shoot in-house material recently hit him with charges of false imprisonment, making threats to kill and assault.
Gangland figure Williams and two other men were also charged this week over what investigators say was the kidnapping and extortion of Ryan Naumenko on July 9.
Mr De Silva was in line for some contract work until he was implicated in the extortion inquiry.
He was arrested as he tried to board a flight to Europe on July 12.
A court hearing for Williams this week heard allegations of Mr De Silva’s role in the incident.
He is accused of saying to Mr Naumenko: ‘‘Righto, Ryan, you’re f---ed, it’s all over. It’s too late you’re dead.’’
Williams is accused of telling Mr Naumenko, “I’m the f---ing godmother you f---wit” as a co-accused pulled a gun on him, demanding cash, Melbourne Magistrates Court heard.
Mr Naumenko was a producer and serial conman helping her make her reality TV show but told police he was punched and choked with an electrical cord after being invited to a gathering.
Mr De Silva, 36, works for the Cloakroom Media video production company.
The company is used by major names including Carrie Bickmore, Sylvia Jefferies, Shane Crawford, Steph Claire Smith and Laura Henshaw.
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Victoria Police spokeswoman Beck Angel confirmed a Collingwood-based production company was used for three days’ filming in 2017 with plans for more in the works.
“As we do with all contractors, appropriate checks were put into place before we commenced work with the company,” Ms Angel said.
“We engaged with the company about a potential second piece of work in mid 2019, however, we did not proceed with the job and a contract was not signed.”
Apart from the one small job in 2017, Victoria Police has not worked with the Collingwood-based production company on any other jobs.