Day 5: Nicola Gobbo resumes her evidence at the Lawyer X royal commission
Turncoat gangland lawyer Nicola Gobbo's final day of evidence at the Lawyer X Royal Commission has unearthed plenty of revelations, including a bizarre admission about her 'life ambitions' and relationship with Tony Mokbel.
Gangland snitch Nicola Gobbo wanted to nab Melbourne underworld’s “big fish” Mick Gatto in her quest to become the “best informer” Victoria Police ever had.
And she claims she was egged on by her handlers who joked she should “take one for the people” and sleep with the gangland figure.
The defence barrister turned secret informer told the Lawyer X royal commission probing the legal scandal she provided details to police about Mr Gatto knowing it would please her handlers.
During her final day of evidence on Tuesday, Gobbo agreed she had believed targeting Mr Gatto would be beneficial to her career and informer status.Mr Gatto has always denied being a gangland figure and has not been convicted of any criminal offence.
Lawyer Geoff Chettle, representing Gobbo’s police handlers, put to her that she “thought there were a number of advantages in chasing him”.
“It would be good for your business, you’d be able to get more clients and you’d be able to help the (source development unit),” Mr Chettle said.
The inquiry heard Gobbo had previously told the commission there was a running joke between her and her handlers she should “do whatever is necessary” to get to Gatto.
“You say Mr White (lead handler) said to you that as far as Mr Gatto is concerned ... if it’s got to be done it’s got to be done, do whatever is necessary, referring to whether or not you should sleep with Mr Gatto,” Mr Chettle said.
“Yeah, there was a joke about him,” Gobbo said. Mr Chettle produced SDU log books in which her handlers said she was told to consider “finishing the relationship (with Gatto)”.
“(Gobbo) is not tasked into Gatto, not obliged to do so and does not have to,” an entry said. “She understands this but has a feeling of need to finish things whilst she is still talking to us.”
Questioned by Saul Holt QC, for Victoria Police, about her criminal associates including the Mokbels, Gobbo accepted she’d “enjoyed” being part of their “criminal crew”.
“Why would you ever have wanted to be friends with Tony Mokbel?” Mr Holt asked.
MORE NEWS:
CLAIM GOBBO KNEW OF GANGLAND PLOT
Gobbo hesitated before answering: “Like anyone, he has some redeeming features.”
The commission continues.