Frank Bodor’s lawyer raises concerns over ‘multiple people having influence over the investigation’

An award-winning Victorian police officer accused of a brutal attack on his wife claims an investigation into him was “unfair and not impartial” with cops “tweaking” witness statements.

Frank Bodor allegedly strangled his wife and punched her in the head. Picture: Valeriu Campan

An award-winning Victorian police officer accused of a brutal attack on his wife claims an investigation into him was “unfair and not impartial” with cops “tweaking” witness statements.

Frank Bodor, 55, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with four offences: reckless conduct endangering death, recklessly causing serious injury and two counts of assault.

Charge sheets allege he strangled his wife and punched her in the head at a Clyde North property on December 30, 2020.

He vehemently denies the allegations.

His lawyer Christopher Farrington told the court that a folder of documents provided to defence last week had revealed “multiple people having influence over the investigation” into his client.

“It is remarkable what this folder reveals,” he said.

Mr Farrington said there were references in the material to investigators going back to Mr Bodor’s sons to “tweak” their statements.

He said the way the two sons’ statements were drafted were very similar, but that he had only been provided with one version of each.

“Perhaps coerced is putting it too high, but certainly there is a concern,” he said.

“Mr Bodor has been very concerned about the way he has been treated throughout this investigation.

“The investigation into Mr Bodor has been unfair and not impartial.”

Mr Bodor was due to face a two-day contested hearing, but Mr Farrington successfully sought an adjournment given the new disclosure documentation, only provided by the prosecution on Thursday.

“It’s an unsatisfactory situation,” he said.

The folder contains volumes of emails and communications between police officers relating to these proceedings, he said.

The prosecution did not oppose the adjournment request, saying it was only “fair” to give Mr Bodor’s counsel more time to go over the material.

They were also ordered to pay the defence counsel’s costs for dumping the material on them on the eve of the contested hearing.

Magistrate Bernard FitzGerald warned the parties the case needed to progress on the next date.

Mr Bodor, who was commended in 2016 for his work as a senior sergeant based at Dandenong station where he helped to develop an alcohol diversion program to break the cycle of alcoholism and recidivist offending, will return to court in July.