OPP withdraws blackmail charges against former Bandidos president
Victorian prosecutors have dropped blackmail charges against former Bandidos president Joel Leavitt due to legal concerns regarding the definition of 'menacing behavior.' The collapse of the case has sparked criticism regarding the government's failure to address criminal influence in the construction sector.
Why it matters
This case exposes potential legislative gaps in Victoria's ability to prosecute organized crime figures within the building industry.
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Share A A A A high-profile extortion case against the Melbourne boss of an outlaw bikie gang and former CFMEU Big Build official has collapsed in a major setback for authorities as they seek to clean up Victoria’s building sector.
The shock decision is set to be referred to the royal commission into the building industry amid questions about why the state Labor government has failed to act on repeated police requests first issued in 2014 – and most recently again this year – to toughen laws to force gangland figures out of the construction sector.
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