Mick Gatto denies threats to Lawyer X, involvement in underworld murders

Melbourne gangland figure Mick Gatto has publicly denied threatening to kill Lawyer X for being a police informer, releasing a statement branding any such claims as ‘mischievous’.

Mick Gatto has publicly denied threatening to kill Lawyer X over her police informer status.

The gangland figure, through solicitor Martin Amad, has become tired of journalists calling him for comment and has also hit out at reporting of “evidence’’ of his suspected involvement in two underworld murders.

“Over the last couple of days numerous media outlets have reported that Mick Gatto has threatened to kill police informer 3838,’’ a statement titled ‘Mick Gatto Press Release’ says.

The reporting was purportedly based on excerpts from an affidavit made by a police member in 2016.

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“Media reporting also refers to “evidence“ implicating Mr. Gatto in the murders of Victor

Peirce in 2002 and Frank Benvenuto in 2000. Mr Gatto was not charged with anything to do with their deaths.’’

Mr Gatto is one of the last men standing from Melbourne’s gangland war.

Mick Gatto’s lawyer has released a statement denying threats to Lawyer X. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Frank Benvenuto was shot dead in 2000.

Hitman Andrew ‘Benji’ Veniamin.

Court hearings relating to those underworld murders heard claims Mr Gatto had asked hitman Andrew Veniamin to arrange Benvenuto’s death, claims Mr Gatto denied and was never charged over.

Veniamin was later killed by Mr Gatto in a Carlton restaurant, with a jury finding him not guilty of murder after evidence he acted in self-defence.

The Herald Sun was aware Mr Gatto was being inundated with media calls as the Royal Commission into Lawyer X’s police informing is set to begin.

To date, the Carlton identity has remained silent in the matter.

But Mr Amad said his client was never a client of Lawyer X and was considering his “legal position.’’

The Herald Sun has previously reported that Mr Gatto had met with Lawyer X following a series of reports in 2014 exposing Lawyer X’s informing role.

“Mr Gatto denies having made any such threat regarding informer 3838 or being involved in the deaths of Peirce and Benvenuto,’’ Mr Amad said.

“Mr Gatto was never a client of informer 3838.

“Not only is the reporting false, it is mischievous and damaging to Mr Gatto.’’

Mr Gatto in recent years has become more concerned about his reputation being tarnished.