- From: The Australian
- August 11, 2011
The NSW government will launch an independent inquiry into the state's Crime Commission after a former director was found guilty today of conspiring to import drugs into the country.
Police Minister Mike Gallacher said the state government would establish a special commission of inquiry to review the accountability and structure of the commission.
"As I said in opposition, if elected, the government would conduct an independent into the NSW Crime Commission at the conclusion of the current Mark Standen trial,'' Mr Gallacher said.
"It's important that an independent inquiry takes place to review the accountability and structure of the commission.''
Mr Gallacher said the terms of reference of the inquiry would examine the structure, procedures, accountability and oversight of the commission.
"The Crime Commission has been operating for more than 20 years without review and this inquiry is needed so that the community has confidence in the commission in the future,'' he said.
The government has yet to announce who will head the inquiry.
It follows the conviction of NSW crime fighter Mark Standen, who was found guilty of conspiring to import $120 million worth of pseuodephadrine into Australia.
Standen, the former assistant director of the NSW Crime Commission spoke briefly to his two brothers before being led away to the cells of the NSW Supreme Court.
Justice Bruce James thanked the jury of six men and five women who had sat through almost 100 days of evidence during the trial.
"I know that at least one time during the trial you thought the trial might last indefinitely,'' Justice James said.
The judge added that he would recommend the jurors be permanently exempted from future jury service.
The jury was sent out on Monday and spent that afternoon deliberating.
They returned to deliberate on Tuesday but yesterday one juror was ill so there was no deliberations that day.
Crown Prosecutor Tim Game SC had told the jury during the trial, which began in March, that Standen was "deeply, deeply involved'' in a $120 million drug importation plot and was not just "playing along'' with a hypothetical scenario as he had claimed.
Standen used his knowledge, gleaned from a 35-year career in law enforcement to help a former informant, James Henry Kinch, and food importer Bakhos Jalalaty attempt to bring the precursor drugs into Australian from Pakistan, hidden in a shipping container of rice.
The jury heard dozens of phone intercepts and covert recordings between the crime fighter and Jalalaty, in which the pair discuss what Standen claimed was a hypothetical "unlawful scenario''.
But Standen was "deeply, deeply involved in these activities, not playing along with an unlawful scenario but a very active participant in a very significant way''.
"(It's a) criminal scenario in which he was a participant and the unlawful scenario is introduced because he has no excuse for what he did.
During his time at the crime commission Standen also accepted a $47,500 "Christmas present'' from drug trafficker and informant, Kinch.
Standen had the money deposited into Jalalaty's bank account so that it would not "ring alarm bells'' at the commission.
The jury also heard evidence from the married father of four's mistress, Louise Baker, who was a junior employee at the commission.
Standen gave Ms Baker expensive gifts such as Chanel and Fendi handbags, Tiffany jewellery and nights at luxury hotels.
Ms Baker told the court Standen planned to retire from the commission and go into business with Jalalaty, so in January 2007 the couple travelled to Dubai, using business class fares paid for by the food importer.
One night the pair met Jalalaty and Kinch for dinner, but the drug trafficker thought she "wasn't to be trusted.''
"(Kinch) was a bit strange with me, he wouldn't make eye contact,'' Ms Baker told the court.
"And when I questioned Mark about that later he said to Mark that he was a bit concerned because I worked for law enforcement.''
When Ms Baker asked Standen why he wanted to meet with an ex-informant he replied that Kinch "used to be a drug importer but he wanted to become legit and invest in legitimate businesses.''
Standen was disciplined by the NSW Crime Commissioner Phillip Bradley for travelling to Dubai and seeking business opportunities without approval.
There was also concern about his relationship with Ms Baker, who was seconded to work at the Independent Commission Against Corruption soon after their return.
The court earlier heard that Standen had a total remuneration package of $247,470 a year from the commission and also received cash payments from Jalalaty and Kinch.
A jury of 11 returned this morning to the NSW Supreme Court to announce its verdict to an ashen-faced Standen, 54, shortly after 11am, ending a gruelling five-month trial.
Additional reading:
1. NSW Crime Commission officers investigated
OFFICERS from the secretive and powerful NSW Crime Commission are under investigation for allegedly handing out large amounts of money to a solicitor.
2. New South Wales Crime Commission v Police Integrity Commission; Giorgiutti v Police Integrity Commission [2011] NSWSC 443 (17 May 2011)
Is it possible to have a full and open investigation into the NSW Crime Commission?
Police Minister Mike Gallacher said the state government would establish a special commission of inquiry to review the accountability and structure of the commission.
"As I said in opposition, if elected, the government would conduct an independent into the NSW Crime Commission at the conclusion of the current Mark Standen trial,'' Mr Gallacher said.
"It's important that an independent inquiry takes place to review the accountability and structure of the commission.''
Mr Gallacher said the terms of reference of the inquiry would examine the structure, procedures, accountability and oversight of the commission.
"The Crime Commission has been operating for more than 20 years without review and this inquiry is needed so that the community has confidence in the commission in the future,'' he said.
The government has yet to announce who will head the inquiry.
It follows the conviction of NSW crime fighter Mark Standen, who was found guilty of conspiring to import $120 million worth of pseuodephadrine into Australia.
Standen, the former assistant director of the NSW Crime Commission spoke briefly to his two brothers before being led away to the cells of the NSW Supreme Court.
Justice Bruce James thanked the jury of six men and five women who had sat through almost 100 days of evidence during the trial.
"I know that at least one time during the trial you thought the trial might last indefinitely,'' Justice James said.
The judge added that he would recommend the jurors be permanently exempted from future jury service.
The jury was sent out on Monday and spent that afternoon deliberating.
They returned to deliberate on Tuesday but yesterday one juror was ill so there was no deliberations that day.
Crown Prosecutor Tim Game SC had told the jury during the trial, which began in March, that Standen was "deeply, deeply involved'' in a $120 million drug importation plot and was not just "playing along'' with a hypothetical scenario as he had claimed.
Standen used his knowledge, gleaned from a 35-year career in law enforcement to help a former informant, James Henry Kinch, and food importer Bakhos Jalalaty attempt to bring the precursor drugs into Australian from Pakistan, hidden in a shipping container of rice.
The jury heard dozens of phone intercepts and covert recordings between the crime fighter and Jalalaty, in which the pair discuss what Standen claimed was a hypothetical "unlawful scenario''.
But Standen was "deeply, deeply involved in these activities, not playing along with an unlawful scenario but a very active participant in a very significant way''.
"(It's a) criminal scenario in which he was a participant and the unlawful scenario is introduced because he has no excuse for what he did.
During his time at the crime commission Standen also accepted a $47,500 "Christmas present'' from drug trafficker and informant, Kinch.
Standen had the money deposited into Jalalaty's bank account so that it would not "ring alarm bells'' at the commission.
The jury also heard evidence from the married father of four's mistress, Louise Baker, who was a junior employee at the commission.
Standen gave Ms Baker expensive gifts such as Chanel and Fendi handbags, Tiffany jewellery and nights at luxury hotels.
Ms Baker told the court Standen planned to retire from the commission and go into business with Jalalaty, so in January 2007 the couple travelled to Dubai, using business class fares paid for by the food importer.
One night the pair met Jalalaty and Kinch for dinner, but the drug trafficker thought she "wasn't to be trusted.''
"(Kinch) was a bit strange with me, he wouldn't make eye contact,'' Ms Baker told the court.
"And when I questioned Mark about that later he said to Mark that he was a bit concerned because I worked for law enforcement.''
When Ms Baker asked Standen why he wanted to meet with an ex-informant he replied that Kinch "used to be a drug importer but he wanted to become legit and invest in legitimate businesses.''
Standen was disciplined by the NSW Crime Commissioner Phillip Bradley for travelling to Dubai and seeking business opportunities without approval.
There was also concern about his relationship with Ms Baker, who was seconded to work at the Independent Commission Against Corruption soon after their return.
The court earlier heard that Standen had a total remuneration package of $247,470 a year from the commission and also received cash payments from Jalalaty and Kinch.
A jury of 11 returned this morning to the NSW Supreme Court to announce its verdict to an ashen-faced Standen, 54, shortly after 11am, ending a gruelling five-month trial.
Additional reading:
1. NSW Crime Commission officers investigated
OFFICERS from the secretive and powerful NSW Crime Commission are under investigation for allegedly handing out large amounts of money to a solicitor.
2. New South Wales Crime Commission v Police Integrity Commission; Giorgiutti v Police Integrity Commission [2011] NSWSC 443 (17 May 2011)
((i) The Police Integrity Commission shall not, in conducting the investigation, the scope and purpose of which was announced on 13 December 2010, investigate the practice or practices of re-engagement of persons previously retired from public service or the allegedly misleading statement contained in a letter from the Minister for Police to the Treasurer relating to the supervision of costs orders by the Supreme Court of New South Wales;
(ii) The parties be granted liberty to apply in relation to the form of orders reflecting these reasons for judgment and any ancillary orders, including any order as to any stay in force or costs;
(iii) Otherwise the proceedings are dismissed.)
(ii) The parties be granted liberty to apply in relation to the form of orders reflecting these reasons for judgment and any ancillary orders, including any order as to any stay in force or costs;
(iii) Otherwise the proceedings are dismissed.)
Is it possible to have a full and open investigation into the NSW Crime Commission?
Where is Kinch now? will he face the courts any time soon? I've followed this case very carefully and yet the disappearance of Kinch is not mentioned, its said he is in Thailand living the high life!!
ReplyDeleteThe Australian government are CORRUPT from stem to stern. This is the TINY tip of the iceberg. The AFP, the crime commissions, the politicians, the lot.
ReplyDeleteThis is what it is all about:
http://www.schapellegate.com/2011/07/people-for-schapelle.html
They sold her to hide this crap. Disgusting.
Where is Kinch? this link might help better explain his position. http://jameshenrykinch.com/?page_id=12
ReplyDeleteStill think Louise Baker should be charged. Were the jury told to find Standen guilty. There seems to be a very funny story in todays paper about that Jury they are claiming hardship etc. Did not think they were supposed to comment. Will they be getting paid for a story. Something is vey very wrong.
ReplyDelete