Roberta Williams fights charges she assaulted producer Ryan Naumenko
Gangland widow Roberta Williams has faced court over an alleged extortion attempt against a TV producer, whom she allegedly threatened to kill because he had no money.
Police & Courts
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A wannabe reality TV producer who claimed he was beaten within “an inch of his life” by Roberta Williams and a group of men, told a doctor he was going to sell his TV show “for millions”, a court has heard.
Ryan Naumenko, 36, alleges he was bound, bashed and pistol whipped after being ambushed at Collingwood studio on July 9 last year as part of a dramatic alleged extortion attempt.
During day one of a contested committal, Ms Williams’ lawyer told the court Mr Naumenko was a “scam artist” who made up the “baseless” story.
Police allege Mr Naumenko was invited to the Rokeby St studio under the pretence of celebrating the filming of a TV pilot involving the family of slain underworld figure, Carl Williams.
In a police summary, Mr Naumenko claimed the gangland widow screamed: “Kill the c***, he has no money” and forced him to call his family members and ask them to transfer money into a bank account during the three hour ordeal.
Mr Naumenko told a court Ms Williams choked him with an electrical extension cord for 20 seconds but he was eventually able to overpower her.
“She kept screaming, but that’s just Roberta,” he said.
Despite being “almost murdered”, Mr Naumenko did not contact police and instead emailed a “trusted colleague” – crime writer John Silvester – for advice, the court heard.
Mr Naumenko, who has a history of dishonesty offences, conceded he had actually never met Mr Silvester.
The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court heard Mr Naumenko did not seek medical help until three days after the alleged assault – and only after police had requested he do so.
It was during the medical examination he told the doctor his Mob Wives-style TV show was “going to make millions of dollars in light of the revelations” Ms Williams had made during filming.
The GP gave evidence Mr Naumenko made no mention of being strangled by Ms Williams during his recount of the alleged attack and the producer was “surprised” by the lack of bruising he had sustained.
During a day of fiery cross-examination, defence lawyer John Desmond, for Williams, suggested Mr Naumenko was attempting to style himself as a “big time operator” and using Ms Williams’ name and reputation to promote his podcast
“In terms of the criminal world, you are a nobody,” Mr Desmond said.
Mr Naumenko hit back, stating: “You don’t know me … I’ve known and I still know some of the biggest players in the criminal underworld”.
Ms Williams and co-accused James Harrison, Daniel DeSilva, Jake Sexton and Hassam Al Zwainy are contesting charges including of extortion, unlawful imprisonment, and making threats to kill.
Charges of kidnapping and causing serious injury were earlier withdrawn.
The committal continues.