Lawyer X scandal set for IBAC investigation

The head of Victoria’s peak anti-corruption body, IBAC, says it can investigate alleged criminal conduct in the Lawyer Xinformer scandal, setting the record straight in a submission to the royal commission.

The head of Victoria’s peak anti-corruption body, IBAC, says it can investigate alleged criminal conduct in the Lawyer X informer scandal.

IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich QC has set the record straight in a submission to the Lawyer X royal commission, denying the body had given a clean bill of heath to police over its use of lawyer turned snitch, Nicola Gobbo, at the end of its 2014-2015 probe.

And Mr Redlich has stated that IBAC’s previous probe did not prevent the body taking on the job of conducting a criminal investigation into the saga, but has called for proper resourcing.

‘’The primary task of any further investigation of potential criminality associated with Victoria Police’s registration and use of Nicola Gobbo as a human source will be to evaluate the extensive body of documentary and other evidence which has now been gathered by the royal commission and to determine whether that evidence, if it supports a criminal offence, can be converted into admissible evidence for consideration by the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions),’’ he said.

The anti-corruption commissioner has also rejected the assertions of another legal eagle, Douglas Drummond QC, that IBAC’s 2015 probe of the Gobbo saga, and the findings of Justice Murray Kellam, precluded it from undertaking further investigations.

Nicola Gobbo, who has been revealed as Lawyer X. Picture: ABC NEWS

Justice Kellam concluded ‘’negligence of a high order’’ on the part of Victoria Police, but did not find criminal offences had been committed.

‘’The prior findings of the Kellam Inquiry would not impede upon IBAC’s ability to independently conduct an investigation of this nature, if it was deemed to be warranted and in the public interest,’’ he said.

‘’Ultimately the royal commission’s final report and recommendations, and the response by Government, will determine the necessary scope and resourcing of any further criminal investigations, irrespective of who conducts such investigations.’’

The findings on the Lawyer X royal commission is due at the end of November.

There has been debate as to whether a recommendation will be made that a criminal probe should be ordered by the Andrews Government into the conduct of both current and past police officers involved in the Gobbo saga.

Victoria Police has apologised for its conduct, but blamed systemic flaws in its management.

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