IBAC eyes charges over alleged ALP rort as Melton candidate Justin Mammarella withdraws
VICTORIA’S corruption watchdog is understood to be on the brink of laying charges over an alleged ALP printing rort, Labor sources say. It comes as Justin Mammarella withdraws from the state election race.
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VICTORIA’S corruption watchdog is understood to be on the brink of laying charges over an alleged ALP printing rort, Labor sources say.
The development comes after the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission ran a series of closed-door hearings to question those allegedly involved in the scandal.
The Herald Sun has been told Robert Mammarella — former office manager for embattled Western Metro MP Khalil Eideh — and other staff were among those who appeared and were warned to bring legal representation.
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It is understood IBAC’s evidence includes recordings, as well as the testimonies.
IBAC said in a statement that it was unable to comment on the matter for “legal and operational reasons”.
The Herald Sun exposed last year allegations that parliament was billed for false invoices for printing work that was never done, with the money instead used to pay for ALP branch stacking.
Labor whistleblowers claimed hundreds of thousands of dollars may have been misused in the “cash-for-stacks” scheme.
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Mr Eideh’s office was embroiled the scheme, although he denied any wrongdoing.
But he did stand down as Legislative Council deputy president after the scandal broke.
Parliament took control of his Western Metro electorate office after the allegations were revealed, with staff locked out and placed on indefinite leave.
However, sources claim that people returned to the office in an attempt to gain entry but failed.
During a raid captured by the Herald Sun in October last year, IBAC confiscated phones, computers and files from F&M Printing, a Keilor East printer linked to the alleged rort.
It is alleged the owners of F & M printing are Labor Party members, however they have denied any wrongdoing.
Anti-corruption investigators also searched for six hours the Cairnlea home of Mr Mammarella, who has rubbished claims of rorting.
His son, Justin Mammarella, today withdrew as Labor’s candidate for the safe seat of Melton at next month’s state election.
ALP headquarters said his withdrawal was due to “family reasons”, with sources telling the Herald Sun his father is ill.
State Secretary Samuel Rae said: “The Labor Party will quickly preselect another candidate.”
It comes two weeks after Mr Mammarella formally launched his election campaign.
He was formerly the mayor of Melton and, according to his LinkedIn, serves as the Victorian Labor Party’s campaign project manager.
Premier Daniel Andrews said he would not add to Mr Rae’s statement, and referred all questions to back the state secretary.
He said he would make an announcement at the “time of his choosing” on who would be Labor’s new candidate in Melton.
But Shadow Treasurer Michael O’Brien said Mr Andrews needed to detail “the real reason” Mr Mammarella had withdrawn his candidacy.
“The Mammarella family business has been about gaining political power in Melton over many, many years,” he said.
“It seems extraordinary that just four weeks from the election, the candidate has stood down.
“Given the current probes that are going on, Daniel Andrews needs to come clean.”
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