Mick Gatto ‘charges’ dropped by OPP

Victoria’s top prosecutor withdraws ‘private charges’ against underworld figure and refers claims to police for further investigation.

Mick Gatto. Picture: Getty Images

Victoria’s top prosecutor has withdrawn private charges laid against Melbourne underworld identity Mick Gatto and referred the claims to police for investigation.

The Australian has confirmed that the Office of Public Prosecution has dropped a series of charges laid against Mr Gatto by colourful former restaurateur and nightclub security boss Jamal Khan.

The charges were laid by Mr Khan — who is also known as Jamal Khan Mohammad — as part of a rare private prosecution of his former friend over an alleged $4m debt and were taken over by the OPP several months ago. Prosecutors have now decided to withdraw them.

Mr Gatto said the decision vindicates his position. “If he wants money he should go and get a job at the call back centre, that’s his only chance,” Mr Gatto told The Australian.

Mr Khan welcomed the OPP’s decision to refer the matter to Victoria Police for investigation. “The police will now investigate this,” he said.

The OPP declined to comment on Monday. Victoria Police has been approached by The Australian for comment.

Mr Gatto and Mr Khan would regularly rub shoulders at the Waterfront restaurant in Port Melbourne which Mr Khan ran until 2019. Mr Gatto has previously described his former associate as a “fruitloop”.

“All I have ever done is help him. I’ve saved him all his life. And he’s turned feral. He’s threatening to do this, that and the other. The bloke needs help.

“I stuck my head in and helped him, reluctantly. I wish I didn’t. I’m not interested in seeing him. He can keep making as much noise as he likes.”