Nicola Gobbo seeking deal from investigator into police informer scandal

Nicola Gobbo wants to be protected from criminal charges in order to cooperate with the investigation into Victoria’s unprecedented police informer scandal.

Nicola Gobbo wants indemnity from prosecution. Picture: ABC News

Super spy Nicola Gobbo is seeking a deal to cooperate with Victoria’s special investigator who is probing her infamous role as a police informer – but only if she’s granted immunity from prosecution

Ms Gobbo, also known as Lawyer X, wants to cut a deal to provide her indemnity in return for her co-operation in the major investigation.

It is not known whether the special investigator, former High Court justice Geoffrey Nettle, KC, has agreed to the deal, but it’s believed Ms Gobbo, or lawyers acting for her, have met him and his chief counsel, Gary Hevey.

The Herald Sun believes Ms Gobbo returned to Australia months ago.

Justice Nettle was appointed special investigator in 2021 by the state government to continue investigating the legal scandal. Legislation has been passed granting him wide ranging powers as special investigator.

Nicola Gobbo with her former client Tony Mokbel outside court.

Justice Nettle’s role is to find whether any criminal or disciplinary charges should be laid against former and current Victoria Police officers over their use of Ms Gobbo as a secret police informer.

Ms Gobbo’s activities are also being probed as to whether her actions constituted criminal offending.

If Justice Nettle finds either current or former Victoria Police or Ms Gobbo committed criminal offences, he will submit a brief of evidence to the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions to consider charges.

The Office of Special Investigator (OSI), which has about 30 staff and a budget of $13.5m, has attempted to make contact with Ms Gobbo’s many police handlers. Sources say none have spoken to the OSI to date.

They compiled more than 5000 detailed information reports using her information after registering her as “human source 3838” in 2005.

Ms Gobbo, who snitched on underworld figures including Tony Mokbel, his brothers and the Carlton Crew, was deregistered as an informer after 3½ years as a secret agent of police in early 2009. Her information was crucial in solving some of Melbourne’s gangland crimes and included helping investigators “roll” underworld players against criminal kingpins.

Gangland player Faruk Orman had his conviction quashed. Picture: AAP

Ms Gobbo also had two short-lived stints as an informer in 1995 and 1999.

It comes as she seeks a payout from Victoria Police over the scandal.

Victoria Police and Ms Gobbo have already been involved in a secret court battle over her children.

After the case was ruled in her favour, she went overseas.

Investigators from the OSI have also been making contact with those potentially affected by the scandal.

The Herald Sun has been told Carl Williams’ former wife Roberta is among those contacted.

Former policeman Paul Dale, who was once charged with conspiring in a burglary and then with the murder of Terence Hodson, has also engaged with the OSI.

He intends to sue police over his prosecution.

Gangland player Faruk Orman has already begun civil proceedings against the force after his conviction for the murder of Victor Peirce was quashed and he was released from jail.

There are 1011 cases identified by the Lawyer X saga as being affected.

Criminals currently appealing from jail include her former clients Mokbel, Rob Karam and Pasquale Barbaro.

Significantly, there has been no report on the review of 11 other “human sources” who may have disclosed legally confidential or privileged information to police.

It was recommended the government appoint an independent person to review the files and report to the Attorney-General, police minister and Victoria Police chief commissioner.

The recommendation came after the chief commissioner refused to hand these informer files to the Lawyer X royal commission, claiming public interest immunity.

Their identities and the intelligence gathered from the “Secret 11” are tightly held secrets.

Ms Gobbo’s lawyer did not respond to phone calls.