Rocco Arico set to launch bid for freedom

Crime figure Rocco Arico is preparing a challenge that could see his jail stint come to an end — but it heavily hinges on this evidence.

Rocco Arico is set to launch a bid fro freedom. Picture: Hamish Blair

Italian organised crime figure Rocco Arico has become the latest jailed gangster to ask whether his lawyer was snitching on him as he prepares to launch a bid for freedom.

Arico’s lawyer, Joseph “Pino’’ Acquaro, was gunned down outside his Gelobar cafe in March 2016 in Brunswick East, as rumours swirled about his connection to the police’s anti-gangland Purana task force and a six-figure contract on his head.

Arico, who attended Acquaro’s packed funeral at St Mary Star of the Sea in West Melbourne, is in the process of preparing a challenge to his convictions.

He is one of almost a dozen jailed organised-crime figures with an interest in what current Supreme Court hearings flush out about Acquaro. Victoria Police, however, is fighting to keep secret any intelligence gained from the lawyer, and whether he was a registered “human source’’.

The force — which lost a five-year battle to protect barrister Nicola Gobbo’s history as police informer Lawyer X being disclosed — now finds itself in similar territory about its relationship with Acquaro.

Rocco Arico in 2016. Picture: Hamish Blair

In November, the Supreme Court held hearings in relation to two jailed mafia figures, Frank Madafferi and Saverio Zirilli. Both men suspect Acquaro snitched on them and want the force to disclose any information he divulged.

The cases, mostly being conducted in secret, continue.

Independent lawyers have been appointed by the Supreme Court to assess material relating to Acquaro’s dealings with police. Its significance is yet to be outlined.

Arico, a maximum security inmate now serving a 12-year term, is set to be deported unless he can overturn his convictions.

The emerging mob boss was considered Acquaro’s last “big’’ client as he defended him on charges of extortion, drug trafficking, gun possession and intentionally causing serious injury.

In his early criminal history Arico was considered a gangland soldier and a close mate of kingpin Carl Williams during the drug wars. His convictions from the era include kidnapping and attempted murder.

Joe Acquaro

Prior to Arico’s last arrest in 2015, the Australian Crime Commission rated him as one of Victoria’s top 10 organised-crime threats.

Among the police probes into him, he remains a suspect in the 2000 hit on underworld figure Richard Mladenich, who was shot at the seedy Esquire Motel in St Kilda in front of witnesses.

Police also suspect Arico ordered Williams’ jailhouse murder in April 2010, after he allegedly learned his former friend was planning to dob him in over Mladenich.

Arico, who was the first person to learn of Williams’ death in a telephone call with Williams’ fellow inmate, was questioned in jail about the murder earlier this year.

Suspicion, however, continued to follow Arico.

In 2011, he was linked to the attempted murder of outlaw bikie Toby Mitchell.

Mitchell was gunned down outside a Doherty’s Gym 11 months after he ripped off a drug dealer who was attempting to sell him a kilo of cocaine.

Police believe Arico was behind the attempted hit on Mitchell.

Investigators suggested Arico was infuriated Mitchell had duped an underling, and instead of exchanging a bag full of cash for the drugs, had left a bag stuffed with magazines.

The Lawyer X royal commission has held secret hearings regarding Acquaro’s police informing, which remain suppressed.

It also released a Victoria Police email dated April 3, 2014, which is believed to relate to the deceased lawyer. The email indicates an ongoing relationship.

But it is believed Acquaro was considered high-risk, and his use by police was limited.