Australian Gangster Tony Mokbel’s Sentence Reduced
Tony Mokbel, Australia's most infamous gangster, has had his prison sentence for drug trafficking cut from 20 years to just over 13 years. This reduction followed revelations that his lawyer, Nicola Gobbo, was secretly acting as a police informant during Melbourne's gangland war.
Background of the Case
In 2012, Mokbel was sentenced to 30 years for leading a complex drug syndicate known as “The Company,” which was connected to numerous murders later depicted in the TV series Underbelly. His high-profile lawyer, Gobbo, was found to be providing police with information while representing him and other clients.
Legal Developments and Appeal
Mokbel served about 18 years before his release on bail in April, following a court decision allowing him to appeal his convictions. He and his legal team claimed he would not have pleaded guilty if he had known about Gobbo’s role as police informant “Informer 3838.”
Details of the Court of Appeal Ruling
- The Court addressed an appeal related to trafficking over 41 kilograms of methylamphetamine between 2006 and 2007.
- Although the appeal on this specific charge was dismissed, Mokbel's 20-year sentence was reduced to 13 years, seven months, and 15 days.
- The court described Mokbel’s crimes as “very grave” but recognized “unusual circumstances” in the case.
- Justices took into account that Mokbel was a first-time drug offender and had endured serious injuries while jailed.
“The court noted Mokbel’s crimes were ‘very grave’ but acknowledged ‘unusual circumstances’ in the case.”
Summary
The revelation of legal deception involving Nicola Gobbo significantly impacted Tony Mokbel’s drug conviction sentence, leading to a notable reduction despite the severity of his crimes.
Author’s summary: The exposure of lawyer Nicola Gobbo as a police informant led to a significant reduction in Tony Mokbel’s drug trafficking sentence, reflecting the complex legal and moral issues involved.