Nicola Gobbo aware ethics abandoned in role as police informer

Nicola Gobbo displayed a ‘proactive, energetic interest’ in her role as an informer, the royal commission found.

Nicola Gobbo. Picture: ABC

Nicola Gobbo displayed a “proactive, energetic interest” in her role as an informer, despite admitting “the general ethics of all of this is f..ked”, the royal commission found.

Gobbo registered as an informant three times, the longest stint from 2005, but commissioner Margaret McMurdo said Gobbo’s willingness to inform on those who trusted her was discernible early on, when she informed on her then partner in 1993.

“She did more than simply respond to police inquiries; she cultivated or engineered opportunities to meet with and communicate information to police,” Ms McMurdo said.

“She seemed to relish her social contact with them. She sought to do more than neutrally communicate information, often enthusiastically and proactively suggesting areas and people to investigate.”

Gobbo not only provided information to police about her clients, she also encouraged her clients’ co-operation with police.

One client, known as Mr Thomas, told the commission he was “getting nagged by” Gobbo and she was telling him that there was “no way out of it” — that he had to “make a statement and do a deal”.

“Victoria Police had identified the ethical dilemma but closed their eyes to it and subsequently facilitated and encouraged it,” Ms McMurdo said.

She said Gobbo deliberately disclosed to Purana Taskforce investigators potentially confidential and privileged information concerning Mr Thomas, his personal circumstances and his case.

“Her conflicted position as both human source and Mr Thomas’ lawyer meant that it was impossible for her to give him independent legal advice in his best interests as she was also actively advancing the agenda of the Purana Taskforce,” Ms McMurdo said.

“Her position was further conflicted by her also acting for Mr McGrath, a key witness against Mr Thomas, and her concealment from Mr Thomas of the nature and extent of her involvement in finalising Mr McGrath’s evidence.”

Mr Thomas later played a key role in the case against Faruk Orman, also represented by Gobbo and who served 12 years for murder before being acquitted last year on appeal.

Mr Orman knew Gobbo through Mick Gatto, showing Gobbo’s determination to inform on her high-profile clients to please Victoria Police, Ms McMurdo said.

Police raised the question of conflict of Gobbo’s dual roles in her representation of a man, known as Mr Cooper, who she had provided information on and was likely to call her when arrested. “What conflict? He’ll be pleading guilty. What difference does it make?” she said.