Drug charges dropped against Melbourne councillor Jacob Bettio
Prominent Melbourne councillor Jacob Bettio says he feels “vindicated” after drug charges against him were dropped saying he had upheld his “innocence” all along.
Police & Courts
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Drug charges against a prominent Melbourne councillor have been dropped.
A court was told on Friday that the cocaine and cannabis possession charges against Moonee Valley Council representative Jacob Bettio were being struck out.
Cr Bettio told the Sunday Herald Sun he felt vindicated after the withdrawal of the case was revealed at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court.
“I feel vindicated by this,” Cr Bettio said.
“I’ve upheld my innocence all along. The fact the charges were withdrawn speaks volumes.”
The 29-year-old said he now intended to get back to work.
“I’m keen to focus on my job and delivering for the community,” he said.
Cr Bettio, who is a local businessman, made it clear in court earlier this year that he would fight the charges.
A search of Cr Bettio’s home in the northwestern suburbs in August last year uncovered the small amount of drugs.
The warrant was carried out as part of a broader investigation by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission.
The alleged drug discovery was referred to Victoria Police which later laid charges.
The Magistrates’ Court of Victoria has confirmed the charges have been struck out but it is not clear why.
Cr Bettio was elected to the council in 2020 in the Myrnong ward.
He was one of three councillors whose homes were the subject of warrants by IBAC investigators examining the council’s relationship with local soccer clubs.
No charges have been laid by IBAC but the Herald Sun recently revealed municipal monitors put in place by Local Government Minister Melissa Hornehad been extended.
Moonee Valley Mayor Pierce Tyson supported the extension over a council area which covers the suburbs of Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Keilor East, Ascot Vale, Airport West and Flemington.
The past year has been a period of some turbulence in the municipality.
Buckley Ward councillor and former mayor Cam Nation dramatically quit the council at a meeting in March this year.
There is also an ongoing legal fight in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal over the redevelopment of the landmark Lionsville site.
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