Australia Loses Its Most Notorious Mobster: Tony Mokbel Walks Free Due to Police Informant Scandal
A shocking outcome has emerged in the highly publicized case of Australian crime lord Tony Mokbel, who is one of the country's most infamous gangsters. After years behind bars, Mokbel, 60, will walk free due to a stunning decision by prosecutors to drop plans for a retrial on drug trafficking charges.
In 2012, Mokbel was convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to masterminding an elaborate drug syndicate. His high-profile lawyer at the time, Nicola Gobbo, was alleged to have been feeding information to police while supposedly defending her clients. This revelation tainted his convictions, leading to a court ruling that gave Mokbel a strong chance of overturning his criminal record.
Mokbel spent approximately 18 years behind bars before being released on bail last April. A court subsequently acquitted him of one charge and ordered a possible retrial over allegations he tried to import a commercial quantity of MDMA in 2005. However, prosecutors have now decided not to pursue the retrial, citing factors such as Mokbel's age and health, as well as the significant time already spent behind bars.
The decision has sent shockwaves through Melbourne's underworld, where Mokbel was a key figure in the city's years-long gangland war. Violence linked to his group, known as the Company, claimed dozens of lives and was later immortalized in the popular Australian TV series Underbelly.
Mokbel expressed relief at being released from prison, stating that life "feels really nice" and that he is eager to travel abroad. His lawyer's double-life has been exposed for years, with claims that over 300 people were arrested and charged based on the information provided by Gobbo, also known as Lawyer X and Informer 3838.
A 2020 royal commission found Gobbo's actions to be "fundamental and appalling breaches" of her obligations as counsel to her clients. The outcome in Mokbel's case has been described as a victory for the mobster, who will now live out his life with relative freedom.
A shocking outcome has emerged in the highly publicized case of Australian crime lord Tony Mokbel, who is one of the country's most infamous gangsters. After years behind bars, Mokbel, 60, will walk free due to a stunning decision by prosecutors to drop plans for a retrial on drug trafficking charges.
In 2012, Mokbel was convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to masterminding an elaborate drug syndicate. His high-profile lawyer at the time, Nicola Gobbo, was alleged to have been feeding information to police while supposedly defending her clients. This revelation tainted his convictions, leading to a court ruling that gave Mokbel a strong chance of overturning his criminal record.
Mokbel spent approximately 18 years behind bars before being released on bail last April. A court subsequently acquitted him of one charge and ordered a possible retrial over allegations he tried to import a commercial quantity of MDMA in 2005. However, prosecutors have now decided not to pursue the retrial, citing factors such as Mokbel's age and health, as well as the significant time already spent behind bars.
The decision has sent shockwaves through Melbourne's underworld, where Mokbel was a key figure in the city's years-long gangland war. Violence linked to his group, known as the Company, claimed dozens of lives and was later immortalized in the popular Australian TV series Underbelly.
Mokbel expressed relief at being released from prison, stating that life "feels really nice" and that he is eager to travel abroad. His lawyer's double-life has been exposed for years, with claims that over 300 people were arrested and charged based on the information provided by Gobbo, also known as Lawyer X and Informer 3838.
A 2020 royal commission found Gobbo's actions to be "fundamental and appalling breaches" of her obligations as counsel to her clients. The outcome in Mokbel's case has been described as a victory for the mobster, who will now live out his life with relative freedom.
! Tony Mokbel gets to walk free after being behind bars for 18 yrs and doing nothing but collecting checks 
meanwhile Lawyer X Nicola Gobbo was feeding info to cops the whole time 
it's wild how corrupt some people can be 
justice ain't always pretty 
. On one hand, it's crazy to think that someone like him is still walking around after all he's done. But on the other hand, you've gotta feel bad for the guy - 18 years in prison is a long time, and I guess his age and health are definitely factors here.
. Like, what kind of deal was made to let her go? And what about all those people she testified against? It's just not right.
. He can finally travel abroad and live a life without the constant pressure of prison life. I guess you could say he's getting a second chance at life. But is that really justice? 
. It's not fair to the victims' families or the innocent people who suffered because of his gang's violence 
. And what's with the cops letting him get away? Wasn't there enough evidence to put him behind bars for good 
? The fact that Lawyer X got away with ratting out her clients is just sickening 
️. Not cool, mate! 
the fact that over 300 people were arrested and charged based on her info is just wild. you'd think she'd get more time for that alone, but nope, the system didn't work out that way 
.
. This whole lawyer informant scandal is wild 
. The fact that prosecutors dropped the retrial case due to Mokbel's age and health, but also because he already spent most of his life in prison... what a weird decision 
. Like, what even is the point of having a justice system if it can be so easily manipulated like this?
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. I mean, who deliberately becomes an informant while still working for their clients? What even is that?! 
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