IBAC set to lay charges after 15-month probe of Labor printing rort

Victoria’s anti-corruption watchdog is poised to lay charges as early as this week over a Labor Party printing rort.

VICTORIA’S anti-corruption watchdog is poised to lay charges as early as this week over a Labor Party printing rort.

The Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission is understood to be wrapping up its 15-month probe into the alleged “cash-for-stacks” scheme, revealed by the Herald Sun last year.

Investigators have been probing allegations that state Parliament was billed for false invoices for printing work that was never done, with taxpayers’ money instead used to pay for Labor memberships in branch-stacking operations.

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The explosive claims — involving invoices worth as much as $200,000 — centred on the electorate office of recently retired upper house Labor MP Khalil Eideh and F&M Printing in Keilor East.

It is understood multiple people face charges as a result of the IBAC investigation.

The development will cause headaches for Premier Daniel Andrews after his government was re-elected last month.

Robert Mammarella and Khalil Eideh. Picture: David Smith

The printing business allegedly caught up in the scandal. Picture: Nicole Garmston

The Herald Sun reported in October that charges were imminent after the watchdog held a series of private hearings to question those allegedly involved in the printing rort scandal, including Mr Eideh’s former office manager Robert Mammarella.

It came as Mr Mammarella’s son, Justin, withdrew as Labor’s candidate for the safe seat of Melton ahead of the state election citing “family reasons”.

An IBAC spokeswoman told the Herald Sun in recent weeks that the watchdog was unable to comment on the status of the investigation for “legal and operational reasons”.

Mr Eideh stepped down as deputy president of the Legislative Council as the scandal flared last year, and announced he would retire at this year’s state election.

He maintained he had “done nothing wrong” as his Western Metropolitan electorate office was shut down and staff placed on indefinite leave.

Investigators seize evidence in raids last year. Picture: Nicole Garmston

“I am confident that the claims in the media reports will be completely dismissed and that I will be fully exonerated,” Mr Eideh said at the time.

Six weeks after the Herald Sun revealed the “cash-for-stacks” scheme last year, IBAC raided the printing firm and the Cairnlea home of Mr Mammarella, who has denied any wrongdoing.

The owners of F&M Printing have also denied any wrongdoing.

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