Melbourne gangland killings
Encyclopedia
The Melbourne gangland killings were the murders in Melbourne
, Victoria, Australia of 36 criminal figures or partners between 16 January 1998 and 13 August 2010. The murders were in a series of retributional
murders involving various underworld groups. The deaths caused a sustained power vacuum
within Melbourne's criminal community, as various factions fought for control and influence. The majority of the murders are still unsolved, although police from the Purana Taskforce believe that Carl Williams was responsible for ten of them. The period culminated in the arrest of Carl Williams, who pleaded guilty on 28 February 2007 to three of the murders.
Since the confession of Williams, the ultimate source of the violence has become public knowledge. On his 29th birthday while meeting with Jason Moran
and his half brother Mark Moran
on 13 October 1999 at a suburban park in Gladstone Park
, Jason Moran shot Carl Williams in the stomach over a dispute about money earned in the amphetamine trade. Through the period after his run-in with the Moran family, Williams commenced a war with the aim of killing all of the Moran clan.
The murder of former lawyer Mario Condello
on 6 February 2006, caused speculation of a possible resurgence in the killings, although this was denied by police.
On 19 April 2010, Carl Williams died while incarcerated at Barwon Prison after allegedly being bashed by an inmate. Williams would have been 71 before becoming eligible for parole.
that existed on Melbourne's waterfront
after the Second World War. The Union had a Mafia
-like structure, and most criminal activity was centred around control of the Union, and the cut associated with the drugs (primarily heroin and cocaine
) that passed through the port. The Melbourne Markets
were seen as a natural distribution point for these illegal substances (they were just across the road from the docks area).
By 1990 the local manufacture
of amphetamines had increased to the point where the Police
described Melbourne as the "amphetamine capital of Australia". As well as drug dealing, criminals received income through protection racket
s in King Street
nightclub
s, as well as in prostitution
, illegal gambling
, and armed robbery.
The Honoured Society
The Painters and Dockers / Moran Family
The Carlton Crew
Radev Gang
The Sunshine Crew
The Williams Family
during the 2000s. The task force was established by Victoria Chief Commissioner of Police Christine Nixon
in 2003, and enjoyed success in investigating and halting the killings, despite being initially pushed for staff. In 2008, following the halt in killings, the purview of the task force was expanded.
Investigations have been hampered by a "code of silence", with few organised crime figures willing to risk their lives to provide details to state and federal authorities. Victoria's state police have lamented the death of gang figures who were killed before they were able to aid their investigation. Task Force Purana have been praised for their efforts to stop the killings.
Greg Workman earnt a reputation for himself as man who could dodge danger. As a teenager he clocked up various convictions for assault, burglary, theft, malicious wounding, fire-arm possession, abduction, armed robbery and escape, but as he grew older he moved into the amphetamines and marijuana industry. He was rumored to be in some considered famous armored robberies and was known associates of the young Mark Moran and the infamous Russel "Mad Dog" Cox, the gang had committed large armored robberies together. Greg asked his close friend Alphonse Gangitano for a 50,000 dollar loan to pay off a lingering gambling debt, but when Gregory failed to pay Alphonse back, he shot him. On the first episode of Underbelly, this was dramatised as a $5,000 debt as a result of a failed "business venture".
Thomas Hentschel turned informer http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VSC/2005/6.html and consequently, on 17 September 2004, Alfonso Traglia, Victor Brincat and Carl Williams were charged with the murders of Jason Moran
and Pasquale Barbaro. In May 2005 Carl Williams was additionally charged with the murder of Mark Moran, after a former employee agreed to testify that he was Carl's driver on the day of the incident, and drove him to a location near Mark's house at the time of the murder. Zarah Garde-Wilson
, the widow of Lewis Caine, is defending all of the men in their court cases.
Conspiracy to murder charges against George Defteros and Mario Condello
were dropped nolle prosequi
by the DPP
in June 2005.
In May 2005, Keith Faure
, brother Noel Faure, 50, and Evangelos Goussis
, 37, all of Geelong were charged with the murder of Lewis Moran
and the attempted murder of Bert Wrout. Security footage from Moran's murder showed that one of the gunmen had a tattoo
identical to one of the accused. Previously Keith and Evangelos been charged with the murder of Lewis Caine. Faure and associate, Evangelos Goussis became the first convicted of murder related to the gangland killings on 3 November 2005.
Known underworld figure Nicholas Ibrahim and Abraham Mokdessi was charged with the murder of Housam Zayat. During the trial in June 2005 an eyewitness to the shooting refused at the last minute to testify against Ibrahim, and was charged with contempt of court.
In June 2005 Domenic Gatto
was found not guilty of the murder of Andrew Veniamin
. During the trial, he claimed he had acted in self defence after Veniamin pulled out a .38
and threatened to kill him. Gatto claims that during a struggle he was able to turn the gun around on Veniamin and fire one shot into his neck, and one shot in the eye. He also claimed that during the argument, Veniamin had implicated himself in the deaths of Dino Dibra, Paul Kallipolitis and Graham Kinniburgh.
On 3 November 2005, Keith Faure
and Evangelos Goussis became the first convicted with murder related to the Melbourne gangland killings. Both have appealed their conviction.
On 14 July 2006, Damien Cossu was arrested at gunpoint while driving in Sydney
. He was charged with the murder of Mark Mallia whose tortured body was stuffed in a wheelie bin, dumped in a stormwater drain and set alight. Cossu was also present at the murder of Nik Radev
.
On 28 February 2007, Carl Williams pleaded guilty to murdering Jason Moran
in June 2003 and his father Lewis Moran
in March 2004. He also pleaded guilty to a third murder, but the name of that victim was suppressed until recently when it was announced that it was Mark Mallia.
On 6 June 2007, it was announced that Mokbel had been arrested in a café in Athens. At the time of his arrest, his appearance had changed significantly from when he went missing. Wearing a brown stuff wig and having grown a beard, Mokbel was found carrying a fake Australian passport and driver's license in the name of Stephen Papas. Tony Mokbel was finally extradited back to Melbourne (and Barwon Prison) on 17 May 2008, from Athens via a heavily guarded, private charter plane. His flight path included refuelling in the Maldives and Port Hedland, before landing at Tullamarine. He was then flown in a police helicopter to Barwon Prison. He appeared via video link to the Melbourne Magistrates Court on 20 May 2008.
On the same night Mokbel was arrested, police carried out a raid on an underworld gang calling themselves 'The Company'. Fourteen other underworld figures were arrested in Melbourne. Drugs, weapons and $790,000 in cash were seized.
Purana Taskforce detectives arrested Angelo Mario Venditti for the murder of Paul Kallipoitis on 29 July 2008.
On 9 March 2011, Judy Moran, the mother of slain sons, Mark and Jason Moran and also the ex-de facto partner of Lewis Moran (who was murdered in 2004) was found guilty of the murder of her brother-in-law Desmond "Tuppence" Moran. Moran claimed that she was visiting her son, Mark's grave at Fawkner cemetery at the time as the date of the murder was also the ninth anniversary of Mark's death. But the real motive for the crime was on ongoing dispute between Judy and Des over the money remaining after the murders of three family members. Judy Moran drove the shooter, Geoffery Armour and also accomplice Michael Farrugia to and from the Ascot Vale deli where Des was eventually shot and killed. It was then revealed that Armour pleaded guilty to the murder of Des Moran with Farrugia pleading guilty to manslaughter months earlier before becoming the prosecution's star witness in the case against Judy Moran in which the jury took seven days to deliberate before finally finding Moran guilty of murder.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Victoria, Australia of 36 criminal figures or partners between 16 January 1998 and 13 August 2010. The murders were in a series of retributional
Retributive justice
Retributive justice is a theory of justice that considers that punishment, if proportionate, is a morally acceptable response to crime, with an eye to the satisfaction and psychological benefits it can bestow to the aggrieved party, its intimates and society....
murders involving various underworld groups. The deaths caused a sustained power vacuum
Power vacuum
A power vacuum is, in its broadest sense, an expression for a condition that exists when someone has lost control of something and no one has replaced them. It is usually used to refer to a political situation that can occur when a government has no identifiable central authority...
within Melbourne's criminal community, as various factions fought for control and influence. The majority of the murders are still unsolved, although police from the Purana Taskforce believe that Carl Williams was responsible for ten of them. The period culminated in the arrest of Carl Williams, who pleaded guilty on 28 February 2007 to three of the murders.
Since the confession of Williams, the ultimate source of the violence has become public knowledge. On his 29th birthday while meeting with Jason Moran
Jason Moran
Jason Matthew Patrick Moran was an Australian criminal from Melbourne, Victoria, and one of the leaders of the Moran crime family, notable for its involvement in the Melbourne gangland killings. He sported a 12 cm scar on the side of his face.-Early life:Moran was the son of Lewis Moran and...
and his half brother Mark Moran
Mark Moran (criminal)
Mark Anthony Moran was a criminal of the infamous Moran family from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, notable for its involvement in the illegal drug trade and the Melbourne gangland killings...
on 13 October 1999 at a suburban park in Gladstone Park
Gladstone Park, Victoria
Gladstone Park is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 15 km north-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hume. At the 2006 Census, Gladstone Park had a population of 8669...
, Jason Moran shot Carl Williams in the stomach over a dispute about money earned in the amphetamine trade. Through the period after his run-in with the Moran family, Williams commenced a war with the aim of killing all of the Moran clan.
The murder of former lawyer Mario Condello
Mario Condello
Mario Condello was an Italian-Australian organized crime figure. Condello, once a lawyer, was a member of the Carlton Crew, who is believed to have been a money launderer for Melbourne's Calabrian mafia...
on 6 February 2006, caused speculation of a possible resurgence in the killings, although this was denied by police.
On 19 April 2010, Carl Williams died while incarcerated at Barwon Prison after allegedly being bashed by an inmate. Williams would have been 71 before becoming eligible for parole.
Background
The majority of underworld crime figures and major incidents can be traced back to the Painters and Dockers UnionFederated Ship Painters and Dockers Union
The Federated Ship Painters and Dockers Union was an Australian trade union that covered "mostly work associated with chipping, painting, scrubbing, cleaning, working in every size of tanks, cleaning boilers, docking and undocking vessels, and rigging work"...
that existed on Melbourne's waterfront
Melbourne Docklands
Docklands is an inner city suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia occupying an area extending up to 2 km west of and adjacent to Melbourne's Central Business District . Its Local Government Area is the City of Melbourne...
after the Second World War. The Union had a Mafia
Mafia
The Mafia is a criminal syndicate that emerged in the mid-nineteenth century in Sicily, Italy. It is a loose association of criminal groups that share a common organizational structure and code of conduct, and whose common enterprise is protection racketeering...
-like structure, and most criminal activity was centred around control of the Union, and the cut associated with the drugs (primarily heroin and cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
) that passed through the port. The Melbourne Markets
Melbourne Markets
The Melbourne Markets relates to the Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market operated by the Melbourne Market Authority.The Melbourne Markets complex contains the:* Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market* National Flower Centre* Nursery Market...
were seen as a natural distribution point for these illegal substances (they were just across the road from the docks area).
By 1990 the local manufacture
Clandestine chemistry
Clandestine chemistry is chemistry carried out in secret, and particularly in illegal drug laboratories. Larger labs are usually run by gangs or organized crime intending to produce for distribution on the black market...
of amphetamines had increased to the point where the Police
Victoria Police
Victoria Police is the primary law enforcement agency of Victoria, Australia. , the Victoria Police has over 12,190 sworn members, along with over 400 recruits, reservists and Protective Service Officers, and over 2,900 civilian staff across 393 police stations.-Early history:The Victoria Police...
described Melbourne as the "amphetamine capital of Australia". As well as drug dealing, criminals received income through protection racket
Protection racket
A protection racket is an extortion scheme whereby a criminal group or individual coerces a victim to pay money, supposedly for protection services against violence or property damage. Racketeers coerce reticent potential victims into buying "protection" by demonstrating what will happen if they...
s in King Street
King Street, Melbourne
King Street is a main street in the Melbourne central business district. King Street is part of the Pacific Highway, and used to be part of National Route 1 until the city by-pass road linking the Monash Freeway with the Westgate Freeway was completed...
nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
s, as well as in prostitution
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
, illegal gambling
Gambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
, and armed robbery.
Groups and factions
The following groups of people were connected to the murders.The Honoured Society
Honoured Society
The Honoured Society was a Calabrian 'Ndrangheta criminal group that operated in Melbourne, Australia. In 1963, it was reportedly involved in the Victoria Market Murders. It was led by gangster Frank Benvenuto until his slaying in 2000...
- A CalabriaCalabriaCalabria , in antiquity known as Bruttium, is a region in southern Italy, south of Naples, located at the "toe" of the Italian Peninsula. The capital city of Calabria is Catanzaro....
n 'Ndrangheta group that has long been linked with control of Melbourne's fruit and vegetable marketsMelbourne MarketsThe Melbourne Markets relates to the Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market operated by the Melbourne Market Authority.The Melbourne Markets complex contains the:* Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market* National Flower Centre* Nursery Market...
. Frank Benvenuto, Frank Tizzone, Robert TrimboleRobert TrimboleRobert Trimbole was an Australian businessman, drug baron and organised crime boss whose alleged involvement in the disappearance of anti-marijuana campaigner Donald Mackay and involvement in drug trafficking in the Griffith, New South Wales area, led to a royal commission, a Coroner's inquest and...
and Domenico Italiano are reported to have been associated with this group.
The Painters and Dockers / Moran Family
- A loose association of IrishIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
waterfront workers and ex-members of the Painters and Dockers Union. Brian, Les, and Ray Kane, Graham KinniburghGraham KinniburghGraham 'The Munster' Allen Kinniburgh was an Australian organised crime figure from Kew, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia...
, Victor Pierce, LewisLewis MoranLewis Moran was an Australian organized crime figure and patriarch of the infamous Moran family of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Notable for his involvement in the Melbourne gangland killings, Moran was shot dead in a Melbourne hotel The Brunswick Club in 2004...
, MarkMark Moran (criminal)Mark Anthony Moran was a criminal of the infamous Moran family from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, notable for its involvement in the illegal drug trade and the Melbourne gangland killings...
, and Jason MoranJason MoranJason Matthew Patrick Moran was an Australian criminal from Melbourne, Victoria, and one of the leaders of the Moran crime family, notable for its involvement in the Melbourne gangland killings. He sported a 12 cm scar on the side of his face.-Early life:Moran was the son of Lewis Moran and...
have all been associated with 'the Dockers'.
The Carlton Crew
The Carlton Crew
The Carlton Crew is an Italian-Australian criminal organisation based in Melbourne, Victoria. It is so called because the members commonly met in Lygon St, Carlton, commonly called "Little Italy"....
- An independent cosa nostraMafiaThe Mafia is a criminal syndicate that emerged in the mid-nineteenth century in Sicily, Italy. It is a loose association of criminal groups that share a common organizational structure and code of conduct, and whose common enterprise is protection racketeering...
group created by Alphonse GangitanoAlphonse GangitanoAlphonse John Gangitano was an Italian Australian criminal from Templestowe, a suburb of Melbourne. Nicknamed the "Black Prince of Lygon Street", Gangitano was the face of an organisation known as the Carlton Crew, and a close associate of convicted criminals Graham Kinniburgh, Mick Gatto and...
. Domenic "Mick" GattoDomenic GattoDomenic "Mick" Gatto is an Italian-Australian criminal and is known for his involvement in the Melbourne underworld.Gatto is a 'professional mediator' within the building industry in Melbourne...
and his lawyer George Defteros, Mario CondelloMario CondelloMario Condello was an Italian-Australian organized crime figure. Condello, once a lawyer, was a member of the Carlton Crew, who is believed to have been a money launderer for Melbourne's Calabrian mafia...
, and brothers Vincenzo and Gerardo Manella are also associated with this group.
Radev Gang
- Led by Nikolai "The Russian" RadevNik RadevNikolai "The Russian" Radev was a Bulgarian refugee who became known as a career criminal in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
, a convicted drug dealer and career criminal who was shot in Queen St, Coburg in 2003. No killer has been formally identified, although several possibles have been named (see Nik RadevNik RadevNikolai "The Russian" Radev was a Bulgarian refugee who became known as a career criminal in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
). Mark Mallia, Housam Zayat, Istvan Gulyas and Willie Thompson were known associates.
The Sunshine Crew
- Led by Paul PK Kallipolitis. Dino DibraDino DibraDino Dibra was an Albanian-Australian suspected murderer and a victim of the infamous Melbourne gangland killings....
, Andrew VeniaminAndrew VeniaminAndrew "Benji" Veniamin was an Australian criminal, convicted car thief, murderer accused of killing 7 underworld figures and was one of the key figures involved in the Melbourne underworld killings...
, Rocco Arico, Mark Mallia and Big Bluey were also members. All members of the group had been friends from their childhood. Benji Veniamin took over the group when Paul PK Kallipolitis was murdered.
The Williams Family
- Led by Carl Williams, his father George Williams. Antonios Mokbel. Andrew VeniaminAndrew VeniaminAndrew "Benji" Veniamin was an Australian criminal, convicted car thief, murderer accused of killing 7 underworld figures and was one of the key figures involved in the Melbourne underworld killings...
, Dino DibraDino DibraDino Dibra was an Albanian-Australian suspected murderer and a victim of the infamous Melbourne gangland killings....
, Alfonso Traglia, Damien Cossu were known associates.
Investigation
The Purana Task Force was the name of the police unit that investigated the Melbourne gangland killingsMelbourne gangland killings
The Melbourne gangland killings were the murders in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia of 36 criminal figures or partners between 16 January 1998 and 13 August 2010. The murders were in a series of retributional murders involving various underworld groups. The deaths caused a sustained power vacuum...
during the 2000s. The task force was established by Victoria Chief Commissioner of Police Christine Nixon
Christine Nixon
Christine Nixon APM was the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police between 23 April 2001 and 27 February 2009. After leaving Victoria Police, she was appointed chair of the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority in February 2009 until she stood down from the position in July...
in 2003, and enjoyed success in investigating and halting the killings, despite being initially pushed for staff. In 2008, following the halt in killings, the purview of the task force was expanded.
Investigations have been hampered by a "code of silence", with few organised crime figures willing to risk their lives to provide details to state and federal authorities. Victoria's state police have lamented the death of gang figures who were killed before they were able to aid their investigation. Task Force Purana have been praised for their efforts to stop the killings.
1995
- Greg Workman shot by Alphonse GangitanoAlphonse GangitanoAlphonse John Gangitano was an Italian Australian criminal from Templestowe, a suburb of Melbourne. Nicknamed the "Black Prince of Lygon Street", Gangitano was the face of an organisation known as the Carlton Crew, and a close associate of convicted criminals Graham Kinniburgh, Mick Gatto and...
, on 7 February 1995.
Greg Workman earnt a reputation for himself as man who could dodge danger. As a teenager he clocked up various convictions for assault, burglary, theft, malicious wounding, fire-arm possession, abduction, armed robbery and escape, but as he grew older he moved into the amphetamines and marijuana industry. He was rumored to be in some considered famous armored robberies and was known associates of the young Mark Moran and the infamous Russel "Mad Dog" Cox, the gang had committed large armored robberies together. Greg asked his close friend Alphonse Gangitano for a 50,000 dollar loan to pay off a lingering gambling debt, but when Gregory failed to pay Alphonse back, he shot him. On the first episode of Underbelly, this was dramatised as a $5,000 debt as a result of a failed "business venture".
1998
- The MelbourneMelbourneMelbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
gangland killings are believed to have begun with the murder of 40-year-old Alphonse GangitanoAlphonse GangitanoAlphonse John Gangitano was an Italian Australian criminal from Templestowe, a suburb of Melbourne. Nicknamed the "Black Prince of Lygon Street", Gangitano was the face of an organisation known as the Carlton Crew, and a close associate of convicted criminals Graham Kinniburgh, Mick Gatto and...
on 16 January 1998. He was shot and killed in the laundry of his home, while clad only in his underwear. A coroner'sCoronerA coroner is a government official who* Investigates human deaths* Determines cause of death* Issues death certificates* Maintains death records* Responds to deaths in mass disasters* Identifies unknown dead* Other functions depending on local laws...
report into his death directly implicated Jason MoranJason MoranJason Matthew Patrick Moran was an Australian criminal from Melbourne, Victoria, and one of the leaders of the Moran crime family, notable for its involvement in the Melbourne gangland killings. He sported a 12 cm scar on the side of his face.-Early life:Moran was the son of Lewis Moran and...
and Graham KinniburghGraham KinniburghGraham 'The Munster' Allen Kinniburgh was an Australian organised crime figure from Kew, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia...
. They were both found to be in Gangitano's home in TemplestoweTemplestowe, Victoria"Templestowe" redirects here. For the Victorian Legislative Council Province, please see Templestowe Province.Templestowe is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 17 km north-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Manningham...
when the murder took place; however, it could not be established who pulled the trigger. Kinniburgh's blood was found on a banister inside the house, and his skin was found on a dent on the front security door. Both were excused from giving evidence to the coroner on the grounds they might incriminate themselves.
- On 3 August John Furlan, a 48-year-old motor mechanic from CoburgCoburg, VictoriaCoburg is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 8 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Moreland, although a handful of properties on Coburg's Eastern boundary are located in the City of Darebin...
was killed by a car bombCar bombA car bomb, or truck bomb also known as a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device , is an improvised explosive device placed in a car or other vehicle and then detonated. It is commonly used as a weapon of assassination, terrorism, or guerrilla warfare, to kill the occupants of the vehicle,...
in his Subaru Liberty in Lorensen Avenue Merlynston. Domenic "Mick" GattoDomenic GattoDomenic "Mick" Gatto is an Italian-Australian criminal and is known for his involvement in the Melbourne underworld.Gatto is a 'professional mediator' within the building industry in Melbourne...
was treated as a suspect since he had recently been involved in a payment dispute with the deceased; however, no one has been arrested in connection with his death. http://www.melbournecrime.bizhosting.com/jfurlan.htm
- 42-year-old stand-over man Charles Hegyaljie, known as "Mad Charlie", was killed at his CaulfieldCaulfield, VictoriaCaulfield is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 12 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Glen Eira...
home on 23 November. He was an acquaintance of Chopper ReadChopper ReadMark Brandon "Chopper" Read is an Australian ex-criminal, who wrote a series of semi-autobiographical and fictional crime novels. The 2000 film Chopper was based on his life.-Early life:...
and had been associated with the amphetamine industry. Dino DibraDino DibraDino Dibra was an Albanian-Australian suspected murderer and a victim of the infamous Melbourne gangland killings....
was linked to the killing, which was believed to be either drug or debt related.
1999
- Vince Mannella,http://www.melbournecrime.bizhosting.com/vmannella.htm a former associate of Victor PeirceVictor PeirceVictor George Peirce was an Australian criminal from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Peirce was a member of the Pettingill family, headed by matriarch and former Richmond brothel owner Kath Pettingill....
and Alphonse Gangitano, was ambushed and killed outside his home in North FitzroyFitzroy North, VictoriaFitzroy North is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 4 km north-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area are the Cities of Yarra and Moreland. At the 2006 Census, Fitzroy North had a population of 11,069....
on the evening of 9 January. Media suspected his death was debt-related or part of an underworld power struggle but no suspects were ever named.
- Damian Catania was the victim of a drive-by shooting about 6.00am on 24 February. Catania was waiting outside his home in Hoppers Crossing in Melbourne’s western suburbs for a regular lift to work when an early model white Commodore slowed as it cruised by. A gunman in the car, reputedly Andrew VeniaminAndrew VeniaminAndrew "Benji" Veniamin was an Australian criminal, convicted car thief, murderer accused of killing 7 underworld figures and was one of the key figures involved in the Melbourne underworld killings...
, opened fire, hitting Catania at least four times in the legs and groin. Catania, a mid-level “player” in the underworld was an ex-boxer who had a string of minor convictions, mostly for violence. Catania almost lost a leg as a result of the shooting and spent 12 months in hospital recovering. Those in the car were never caught. On Monday 22 May 2006 Catania, then 30, was sentenced to a minimum of six years jail for pouring petrol over a man who had annoyed him and setting the victim alight, causing horrific burns. Not surprisingly, Catania told the court that on his eventual release from jail, he wanted to “pack up and travel out of Melbourne”.http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodisp/au/cases/vic/VSC/2006/189.html
- Joseph Quadara, a 57-year-old greengrocerGreengrocerA greengrocer or fruiterer is a retail trader in fruit and vegetables; that is, in green groceries. Greengrocer is primarily a British and Australian term, and greengrocers' shops were once common in suburbs, towns and villages...
, was ambushed by two people and killed in a ToorakToorak, VictoriaToorak is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 5 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district located on a rise on the south side of a bend in the Yarra River. Its Local Government Area is the City of Stonnington...
carpark in the early hours of 28 May as he was about to start work at a SafewayWoolworths LimitedWoolworths Limited is a major Australian company with extensive retail interest throughout Australia and New Zealand. It is the:* largest retail company in Australia and New Zealand by market capitalisation and sales...
supermarketSupermarketA supermarket, a form of grocery store, is a self-service store offering a wide variety of food and household merchandise, organized into departments...
. The former millionaire was declared bankrupt in 1994. Police believed that his killing was a case of mistaken identity, due to the existence of another Giuseppe "Joe" Quadara involved in Melbourne's fruit and vegetable industry with underworld connections, although Joe himself had connections to the Melbourne's fruit and vegetable markets and it is conspired that the Markets God-Father; Frank Benevenuto hired Andrew "Benji" Venimen to perform the hit. http://www.melbournecrime.bizhosting.com/jquadara.htm
- BrightonBrighton, VictoriaBrighton is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 11 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Bayside. At the 2006 Census, Brighton had a population of 20,651...
businessman Dimitrios Belias, 38, was killed with a single shot to the back of the head on 9 September in an underground carpark on St Kilda road. He was believed to be heavily in debt.
- On 13 October known drug dealer Carl Williams was shot in the stomach and survived in Gladstone ParkGladstone Park, VictoriaGladstone Park is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 15 km north-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hume. At the 2006 Census, Gladstone Park had a population of 8669...
. Williams told the policeVictoria PoliceVictoria Police is the primary law enforcement agency of Victoria, Australia. , the Victoria Police has over 12,190 sworn members, along with over 400 recruits, reservists and Protective Service Officers, and over 2,900 civilian staff across 393 police stations.-Early history:The Victoria Police...
he blacked out and could not identify the shooter. Known underworld figures MarkMark Moran (criminal)Mark Anthony Moran was a criminal of the infamous Moran family from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, notable for its involvement in the illegal drug trade and the Melbourne gangland killings...
and Jason MoranJason MoranJason Matthew Patrick Moran was an Australian criminal from Melbourne, Victoria, and one of the leaders of the Moran crime family, notable for its involvement in the Melbourne gangland killings. He sported a 12 cm scar on the side of his face.-Early life:Moran was the son of Lewis Moran and...
were present at the time, and police believe there was a dispute related to a failed amphetamines batch and ownership of drug manufacturing equipment. A woman told police she heard a man cry "No, Jason!" moments before a shot was fired.
- On 20 October Vince Mannella's brother, 31-year-old Gerardo Mannella, was ambushed and killed outside his brother's home, after attempting to flee from two men.
- On 25 November George and Carl Williams were charged with multiple drug offences after police raided an alleged amphetamine factory in BroadmeadowsBroadmeadows, VictoriaBroadmeadows is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 16 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hume...
. Police seized around 25,000 amphetamine tablets, a pill press, a loaded pistol and 6.95 kg of powders containing methamphetamineMethamphetamineMethamphetamine is a psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs...
, ketamineKetamineKetamine is a drug used in human and veterinary medicine. Its hydrochloride salt is sold as Ketanest, Ketaset, and Ketalar. Pharmacologically, ketamine is classified as an NMDA receptor antagonist...
, and pseudoephedrinePseudoephedrinePseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic drug of the phenethylamine and amphetamine chemical classes. It is used as a nasal/sinus decongestant and stimulant, or as a wakefulness-promoting agent....
with a street value up to A$20 million. These charges were never brought to trial because of corruptionPolitical corruptionPolitical corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
allegations against former drug squad detectives involved in the raid.
2000 – 2002
- 52-year-old fruiterer Francesco "Frank" Benvenuto, was shot dead while sitting in his car in the driveway of his BeaumarisBeaumaris, VictoriaBeaumaris is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 20 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Bayside. At the 2006 Census, Beaumaris had a population of 12,441....
home on 8 May 2000. Phone records show that as Benvenuto lay dying he managed to ring ex-employee and associate Victor PeirceVictor PeirceVictor George Peirce was an Australian criminal from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Peirce was a member of the Pettingill family, headed by matriarch and former Richmond brothel owner Kath Pettingill....
on his mobile phone. Police initially treated him as a suspect but later offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. http://www.melbournecrime.bizhosting.com/itallianconctns.htm#Frank%20Benvenuto. Mark Moran and Andrew VeniaminAndrew VeniaminAndrew "Benji" Veniamin was an Australian criminal, convicted car thief, murderer accused of killing 7 underworld figures and was one of the key figures involved in the Melbourne underworld killings...
were later named as chief suspects.
- Richard Mladenich, a 39-year-old career criminal and associate of Mark Moran, was killed with a single bullet in the St KildaSt Kilda, VictoriaSt Kilda is an inner city suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 6 km south from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Port Phillip...
Esquire Hotel on 16 May 2000. He had recently been released from jail where he once shared a cell with Chopper ReadChopper ReadMark Brandon "Chopper" Read is an Australian ex-criminal, who wrote a series of semi-autobiographical and fictional crime novels. The 2000 film Chopper was based on his life.-Early life:...
. Police later named Rocco Arico as a suspect but were unable to interview him whilst he was in prison. They later named Dino DibraDino DibraDino Dibra was an Albanian-Australian suspected murderer and a victim of the infamous Melbourne gangland killings....
as their primary suspect
- On 15 June 2000, Mark Moran was killed by Carl Williams with two bullets as he was getting out of his white Holden utility vehicle, outside his luxury home in AberfeldieAberfeldie, VictoriaAberfeldie is a suburb 9 km north-west of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Its Local Government Area is the City of Moonee Valley. At the 2006 Census, Aberfeldie had a population of 3455....
. Moran's murder was initially thought of as retribution for the death of Frank Benvenuto.
- 25-year-old Dino DibraDino DibraDino Dibra was an Albanian-Australian suspected murderer and a victim of the infamous Melbourne gangland killings....
was killed on 14 October 2000, after leaving his house in West SunshineSunshine, VictoriaSunshine is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia lying 11 to 13 km west of the CBD. Its Local Government Area is the City of Brimbank. At the 2006 Census, Sunshine had a population of 8,070.-History:...
. At the time he was facing charges relating to kidnap and assault. At a police press conference, Detective Inspector Andrew Allen said "We are confident that this gunman is a hired hitman and that he, along with another person, ambushed Mr Dibra that night about 9.15pm and shot him a number of times ... this is not the only murder (the gunman) has committed". This police profile strongly suggested that "Benji" VeniaminAndrew VeniaminAndrew "Benji" Veniamin was an Australian criminal, convicted car thief, murderer accused of killing 7 underworld figures and was one of the key figures involved in the Melbourne underworld killings...
was one of the gunmen. A A$100 000 reward was offered by police for information.
- George Germanos was shot repeatedly in an Armadale park on 22 March 2001.
- On 19 May 2001 Carl Williams was re-arrested and charged with drug trafficking and possession. He remained in custody until 17 July 2002 when he was released on bail due to an internal corruption investigation at the Victorian police drug squad.
- Victor PeirceVictor PeirceVictor George Peirce was an Australian criminal from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Peirce was a member of the Pettingill family, headed by matriarch and former Richmond brothel owner Kath Pettingill....
, 42, was killed on 1 May 2002, while in a car parked opposite the ColesColes SupermarketsColes Supermarkets is an Australian supermarket chain owned by Wesfarmers. It has 741 stores nationally Coles Supermarkets is an Australian supermarket chain owned by Wesfarmers. It has 741 stores nationally Coles Supermarkets is an Australian supermarket chain owned by Wesfarmers. It has 741...
supermarketSupermarketA supermarket, a form of grocery store, is a self-service store offering a wide variety of food and household merchandise, organized into departments...
in Bay Street, Port Melbourne. A white Holden CommodoreHolden CommodoreThe Holden Commodore is an automobile manufactured since 1978 by the Holden subsidiary of General Motors in Australia, and, formerly, in New Zealand. In the mid-1970s, Holden established proposals to replace the long-serving Kingswood nameplate with a smaller, Opel-based model...
pulled up beside Peirce and Peirce exchanged words with the occupants inside the car before being shot four times at close range. Victor was officially employed as a waterfront worker, however police believed he was the leader of various drug syndicates in Melbourne and heavily involved with drug trafficking. Victor Peirce was considered a true underworld heavy-weight; he was born into the notorious Pettingill familyPettingill familyThe Pettingill family is an infamous Melbourne-based criminal family, headed by matriarch Kath Pettingill. Family members have many convictions for criminal offences including drug trafficking, arms dealing and armed robberies...
.
- Alexander Kudryavstev was shot by Michael Goldman on 10 July 2002. Goldman, 55, said he shot to miss a wounded acquaintance on a suburban nature strip despite orders from psychotic criminal, Nik RadevNik RadevNikolai "The Russian" Radev was a Bulgarian refugee who became known as a career criminal in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
to "finish him". Goldman said he was "under the gun" and terrified of Radev. Goldman lured Kudryavstev to his Hampton flat and told a Supreme Court jury he was acting like a robot when he shot Mr Kudryavstev in the stomach at the flat. He said Radev told him earlier the same day: "Give him one in the head and I take care of the body." Goldman, of Highett Road, plead not guilty to the attempted murder of Mr Kudryavstev. The jury heard Mr Kudryavstev, a police informer, was wearing a concealed tape recorder when shot in the abdomen and in the head. He secretly recorded his terrifying brush with death. Goldman shot Mr Kudryavstev in the abdomen as he greeted him at the front door. Mr Kudryavstev said he moved his head when Goldman fired at him on a nature strip near Highett Road. Goldman denied during cross-examination that he knew at the time Mr Kudryavstev was a police informer. He said an angry Radev wanted to meet Mr Kudryavstev over a burglary at a friend's warehouse. On 27 May 2004 Goldman was jailed for 14 years. Supreme Court judge Justice Robert Redlich ordered Goldman to serve a minimum non-parole term of 11 years. "Your anger and desire to kill him (Mr Kudryavstev) is evident on listening to the tape recording," said the judge.
- On 16 October 2002, the body of drug dealer Paul Kallipolitis was found in his West SunshineSunshine, VictoriaSunshine is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia lying 11 to 13 km west of the CBD. Its Local Government Area is the City of Brimbank. At the 2006 Census, Sunshine had a population of 8,070.-History:...
home. He was lying on his bed and had one gunshot wound to the head. He clearly knew his killer. Police believe he had been murdered a day earlier and publicly suspected that his one-time-friend Andrew VeniaminAndrew VeniaminAndrew "Benji" Veniamin was an Australian criminal, convicted car thief, murderer accused of killing 7 underworld figures and was one of the key figures involved in the Melbourne underworld killings...
was the killer. Veniamin took over Kallipolitis' drugs business the next day. Veniamin and Kallipolitis had been friends for many years, since they were kids. Kallipolitis shot and killed a man in Deer Park almost a decade earlier after having a gun pulled on him. Angelo Mario Venditti was arrested for this murder on 29 July 2008
2003
- Nik RadevNik RadevNikolai "The Russian" Radev was a Bulgarian refugee who became known as a career criminal in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
, known as "The Russian", was killed in Queen St CoburgCoburg, VictoriaCoburg is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 8 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Moreland, although a handful of properties on Coburg's Eastern boundary are located in the City of Darebin...
on 15 April. The known drug dealer and standover man was shot seven times in the head and chest as he sat in his Mercedes-BenzMercedes-BenzMercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
coupé. Victoria PoliceVictoria PoliceVictoria Police is the primary law enforcement agency of Victoria, Australia. , the Victoria Police has over 12,190 sworn members, along with over 400 recruits, reservists and Protective Service Officers, and over 2,900 civilian staff across 393 police stations.-Early history:The Victoria Police...
told The Age that they believed his death was planned by a father and son drug manufacturing team, and a hitman suspected of four other murders carried out the killing in a red sedan. Andrew VeniaminAndrew VeniaminAndrew "Benji" Veniamin was an Australian criminal, convicted car thief, murderer accused of killing 7 underworld figures and was one of the key figures involved in the Melbourne underworld killings...
met Radev on the day of the murder and unambiguously fitted the police description of the prime suspect, along with George and Carl Williams. Radev had been warned that he was a marked man but ignored the warnings refusing to believe his friends would turn on him. Damien Cossu and Alfonso Traglia were with Radev at the time of the murder but claimed they could not identify the gunman, and were subsequently named by police as 'persons of interest'
- In June, Taskforce Purana was set up by Victoria PoliceVictoria PoliceVictoria Police is the primary law enforcement agency of Victoria, Australia. , the Victoria Police has over 12,190 sworn members, along with over 400 recruits, reservists and Protective Service Officers, and over 2,900 civilian staff across 393 police stations.-Early history:The Victoria Police...
Assistant Commissioner Simon OverlandSimon OverlandSimon Overland APM is the former Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police in Australia. He previously worked with the Australian Federal Police, and then with Victoria Police, focusing on Melbourne's gangland wars. On 2 March 2009 he was named by Premier John Brumby as Victoria Police Chief...
to investigate Melbourne's underworld.
- On 6 June 28-year-old male prostitute Shane Chartres-Abbott was shot dead outside his Reservoir home. Underworld assassin Evangelos Goussis confessed to this murder and said two corrupt detectives were linked to the murder. The murder sparked a media frenzy.
- On 21 June 36-year-old Jason MoranJason MoranJason Matthew Patrick Moran was an Australian criminal from Melbourne, Victoria, and one of the leaders of the Moran crime family, notable for its involvement in the Melbourne gangland killings. He sported a 12 cm scar on the side of his face.-Early life:Moran was the son of Lewis Moran and...
, and his minder, 40-year-old Pasquale Barbaro were shot dead as they sat in a parked blue van outside an AuskickAuskickAuskick is a national program in Australia to develop and promote participation in Australian rules football by children. It has proven to be popular with both boys and girls....
footballAustralian rules footballAustralian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
clinic in EssendonEssendon, VictoriaEssendon is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 10 km north-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Moonee Valley...
. Five children were witness to the murder including Moran's six-year-old twin boy and girl. The gunman ran away across the football oval and over a Moonee Ponds CreekMoonee Ponds CreekThe Moonee Ponds Creek is a creek and major tributary of the Yarra River running through urban Melbourne, Victoria, Australia from northern to inner suburbs...
footbridge to a waiting vehicle.
- Small time drug dealer Willie Thompson, 39, was killed on 21 July while sitting in his car after leaving a karate club in ChadstoneChadstone, VictoriaChadstone is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Its Local Government Area is the City of Monash. Landmarks include the Waverley Basketball Centre, Jordanville Community Centre and the Matthew Flinders Hotel...
. Police say the gunman strolled up to the car and shot Thompson dead before escaping with a second person in a stolen Ford sedan. Some bullets were lodged in nearby shops. Thompson's official occupation was a lollipop vendor inside nightclubs, and a police report said he had recently developed an enmity with Nik RadevNik RadevNikolai "The Russian" Radev was a Bulgarian refugee who became known as a career criminal in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
.
- Mark Mallia's burnt body was found in a suburban storm drain packed inside a green wheelie-bin. Before his murder Mallia was kidnapped by drug-boss Carl Williams and a team of 7 men (including Benji Venimen), the 7 men took Mallia back to a warehouse where they tortured him into confessing where some laundered money was buried. Little details are known if the torture was successful or not, but not long after Mark Mallia was murdered.
- Housam Zayat, 32, was run off the road, forced from his car and repeatedly shot in the head before being found in a paddock in TarneitTarneit, VictoriaTarneit is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 25 km south-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Wyndham....
with multiple bullet wounds on 9 September. Zayat was also a close associate of Nik RadevNik RadevNikolai "The Russian" Radev was a Bulgarian refugee who became known as a career criminal in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
.
- On 20 October Istvan "Steve" Gulyas, 49, and his defacto wife were found executed in their SunburySunbury, VictoriaSunbury is a regional city, located north-west of Melbourne's central business district, in the state of Victoria, Australia. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hume. At the 2006 Census, Sunbury had a population of 31,000...
home. Together they ran a dating agency, Partner Search Australia, which police suspected was a front for a brothelBrothelBrothels are business establishments where patrons can engage in sexual activities with prostitutes. Brothels are known under a variety of names, including bordello, cathouse, knocking shop, whorehouse, strumpet house, sporting house, house of ill repute, house of prostitution, and bawdy house...
. Gulyas was also a friend of Nik RadevNik RadevNikolai "The Russian" Radev was a Bulgarian refugee who became known as a career criminal in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
.
- On 25 October 2003, Michael Marshall was shot outside his luxury South Yarra home in front of his five-year-old son. He was a hot-dog salesman but also sold ecstacy at the street level.
- On 17 November Carl Williams was arrested and charged with making threats to kill a Purana Taskforce detective and the investigator's girlfriend. The alleged threats were made in a taped phone conversation to Victor Brincat in Barwon Prison. Carl was bailed two weeks later. The arrest was dramatically captured on film by The Age photographer Angela Wylie.
- 62-year-old Graham KinniburghGraham KinniburghGraham 'The Munster' Allen Kinniburgh was an Australian organised crime figure from Kew, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia...
, known as "The Munster", was ambushed and shot dead outside his home in KewKew, VictoriaKew is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 6 km east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Boroondara. At the 2006 Census, Kew had a population of 22,516....
just after midnight on 13 December. Police said he had been killed in front of family members soon after parking his car. Kinniburgh was carrying a gun and managed to return one shot before being killed. He was considered Melbourne's most influential criminal at the time of his death. Kinniburgh was also a ring leader in the notorious Drill-bit gang that specialized in safe breaking. Domenic GattoDomenic GattoDomenic "Mick" Gatto is an Italian-Australian criminal and is known for his involvement in the Melbourne underworld.Gatto is a 'professional mediator' within the building industry in Melbourne...
was a pallbearerPallbearerA pall-bearer is one of several funeral participants who helps carry the casket of a deceased person from a religious or memorial service or viewing either directly to a cemetery or mausoleum, or to and from the hearse which carries the coffin....
at his funeral, Lewis Moran and many other underworld figures also attended. Andrew VeniaminAndrew VeniaminAndrew "Benji" Veniamin was an Australian criminal, convicted car thief, murderer accused of killing 7 underworld figures and was one of the key figures involved in the Melbourne underworld killings...
was treated as a suspect in his murder, and Carl Williams was also questioned.
2004
- In February, Carl Williams went on the record with the news magazine The BulletinThe BulletinThe Bulletin was an Australian weekly magazine that was published in Sydney from 1880 until January 2008. It was influential in Australian culture and politics from about 1890 until World War I, the period when it was identified with the "Bulletin school" of Australian literature. Its influence...
with a denial that he had paid "Benji" VeniaminAndrew VeniaminAndrew "Benji" Veniamin was an Australian criminal, convicted car thief, murderer accused of killing 7 underworld figures and was one of the key figures involved in the Melbourne underworld killings...
A$100,000 for five of the murders.
- In March, Federal Justice Minister Chris EllisonChris EllisonChristopher Martin Ellison , is a former Liberal member of the Australian Senate. He represented Western Australia in the Senate from July 1993 to January 2009.-Background:...
announced the Australian Crime CommissionAustralian Crime CommissionThe Australian Crime Commission is an Australian Government national criminal intelligence and investigation agency. It was formulated under the Australian Crime Commission Act which came into effect on 1 January 2003, establishing the ACC as a national statutory authority to combat serious and...
would be investigating the murders. The ACC is a federal law enforcement body, with a role similar to America's Federal Bureau of InvestigationFederal Bureau of InvestigationThe Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
(or FBI).
- On 23 March Andrew VeniaminAndrew VeniaminAndrew "Benji" Veniamin was an Australian criminal, convicted car thief, murderer accused of killing 7 underworld figures and was one of the key figures involved in the Melbourne underworld killings...
was shot dead by Domenic GattoDomenic GattoDomenic "Mick" Gatto is an Italian-Australian criminal and is known for his involvement in the Melbourne underworld.Gatto is a 'professional mediator' within the building industry in Melbourne...
in the CarltonCarlton, VictoriaCarlton is an inner city suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 2 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Melbourne...
pizza restaurant "La Porcella" after an argument. Gatto was charged with his murder, the police alleging that Domenic had set a trap for Veniamin. Veniamin was a close associate of Carl Williams and was suspected of being a hitman involved in as many as seven underworld murders. GattoDomenic GattoDomenic "Mick" Gatto is an Italian-Australian criminal and is known for his involvement in the Melbourne underworld.Gatto is a 'professional mediator' within the building industry in Melbourne...
was later acquitted on the grounds of self-defence.
- The next victim was 58-year-old Lewis MoranLewis MoranLewis Moran was an Australian organized crime figure and patriarch of the infamous Moran family of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Notable for his involvement in the Melbourne gangland killings, Moran was shot dead in a Melbourne hotel The Brunswick Club in 2004...
, father of Jason Moran and stepfather of Mark Moran. On 31 March, he was shot and killed in broad daylight by two balaclava-clad men in the front bar of the Brunswick Club in BrunswickBrunswick, VictoriaBrunswick is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 6 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Moreland...
. Lewis had only recently been released on bail for drug trafficking charges and police had warned him that his life was in danger. His close friend and fellow Painter and Docker, Bert Wrout, sustained injuries but survived. Graham Kinniburgh and Lewis Moran were notorious for their work on the Melbourne docks. Carl Williams paid for the hit and known hard-man Keith Faure was the executioner.
- On 8 May the body of Lewis CaineLewis CaineLewis Caine was an Australian organized crime figure who was murdered on 8 May 2004 during the Melbourne gangland killings....
was found dumped in Brunswick street, with a single gunshot wound to the head. He was a friend of Carl Williams and had been seen dining with him two nights earlier. In May 2008, Evangelos Goussis was convicted of killing Lewis Moran in March 2004. Goussis was sentenced to a minimum of 15 years for the Caine murder and in February 2009 was sentenced to life in prison for the Moran killing. He will be eligible for parole in 2039.
- Terrence and Christine Hodson were found executed in their Kew home on 16 May. Terrence Hodson was revealed to be a police informant. A week before the bodies were found ABC radio reported that a leaked document revealing Hodson as an informant was doing the rounds in certain underworld circles. It is also reported that an associate of Lewis MoranLewis MoranLewis Moran was an Australian organized crime figure and patriarch of the infamous Moran family of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Notable for his involvement in the Melbourne gangland killings, Moran was shot dead in a Melbourne hotel The Brunswick Club in 2004...
hired Hodson to murder Carl Williams in 2001.
- Purana Taskforce detectives arrested Carl Williams for conspiracy to murder on 9 June. His associates Sean Sonnet and Gregg Hildebrandt were arrested only metres from the home of Mario CondelloMario CondelloMario Condello was an Italian-Australian organized crime figure. Condello, once a lawyer, was a member of the Carlton Crew, who is believed to have been a money launderer for Melbourne's Calabrian mafia...
. Victoria Police said the raids had "absolutely" saved Mario CondelloMario CondelloMario Condello was an Italian-Australian organized crime figure. Condello, once a lawyer, was a member of the Carlton Crew, who is believed to have been a money launderer for Melbourne's Calabrian mafia...
from becoming the 28th gangland victim. Eight days later Mario CondelloMario CondelloMario Condello was an Italian-Australian organized crime figure. Condello, once a lawyer, was a member of the Carlton Crew, who is believed to have been a money launderer for Melbourne's Calabrian mafia...
and Dominic Gatto's solicitor, George Defteros, were arrested over a simultaneous plan to murder George Williams and Carl Williams.
2006
- On 6 February, the eve of his murder trial, Mario Condello was shot and killed in his driveway at around 10 pm. Condello had dined with Mick Gatto earlier that night and police warned Gatto that he was under increased risk as this was possibly the resumption of the gangland war.
- On 20 March Melbourne business man Tony MokbelTony MokbelAntonios Sajih 'Tony' Mokbel is an Australian from Melbourne, Australia, who was a fugitive until his recapture in Athens, Greece on 5 June 2007. He is of Lebanese descent and born in Kuwait. Detectives from Operation Purana allege that he is the mastermind behind the Melbourne amphetamines trade...
failed to appear in Court during his trial for the importation of cocaine from Mexico in 2000. Mokbel had been granted bail by friendly Magistrate Phillip Goldberg, despite protests from the police. Goldberg had previously dismissed drug cases brought against Mokbel and his brother. A warrant was issued for his arrest, but Mokbel had not been seen since 5pm on 19 March. His defence team feared for his life. The week before this date, Mokbel raised concerns for his safety, after an incident not related to this case. He eventually reappeared and was arrested by Greek police in Athens, Greece on 5 June 2007. Mokbel was successfully extradited to Australia on 17 May 2008.
- On 14 October Michael "Eyes" Pastras was shot once in the buttocks and once in the thigh at a house in Albion St, Brunswick. Pastras gave evidence at Mick Gatto's murder trial that he spoke to Andrew VeniaminAndrew VeniaminAndrew "Benji" Veniamin was an Australian criminal, convicted car thief, murderer accused of killing 7 underworld figures and was one of the key figures involved in the Melbourne underworld killings...
on 23 March 2004, the day Veniamin was shot dead by Mr Gatto. He said that Veniamin never mentioned anything to him about wanting to harm Mr Gatto. But after testifying, he approached the Purana gangland killing taskforce and made a statement refuting what he said in the witness box. Pastras told Purana detectives he saw Veniamin with a gun when he went to meet Mr Gatto in Carlton's La Porcella restaurant and that Veniamin told him he wanted Mr Gatto dead. He claimed Veniamin told him: "I am fucking dirty on Mick Gatto. He has got to go." That evidence was not presented to the jury in the Gatto murder trial. Pastras was named in a confidential Victoria Police document that was blamed for prompting the executions of police informer Terrence Hodson and his wife, Christine in 2004. It contained details of what Hodson told police and was leaked to Melbourne's underworld shortly before the Hodsons were shot dead in their Kew home in 2004. His brother Savas Pastras was an associate of Lewis MoranLewis MoranLewis Moran was an Australian organized crime figure and patriarch of the infamous Moran family of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Notable for his involvement in the Melbourne gangland killings, Moran was shot dead in a Melbourne hotel The Brunswick Club in 2004...
. Pastras, 39, turned up at Moran's Essendon unit on 25 October 2002, not knowing police were inside raiding it. One of the detectives asked Moran's partner, Virginia Strazdas, who was the man walking up the driveway, and she said he was a friend. Moran's partner ignored a police command not to warn the man and managed to slightly open the door and tell him to go away. A detective, Senior Constable Victor Anastasiadis, said he opened the door, recognised Pastras and said, "Sav, come in." He was taken into Moran's house and a search discovered he had $44,000 in $100 and $50 notes hidden under his jacket in a green plastic bag. After removing the bag, Pastras hunched over and began to shake, he said. Detective Senior Sergeant Marty Allison told the court that Pastras had a look of shock and horror on his face when police confronted him. "He looked as though he had seen a ghost; he couldn't speak. He opened his mouth but words weren't coming out," Senior Sergeant Allison said. Forensic tests revealed the cash showed traces of heroin and cocaine. Savas Pastras was charged with possessing the proceeds of crime. Police alleged the $44,000 was to be paid to Lewis Moran to settle a drug debt. Pastras's lawyer, Stephen Shirrefs, SC, told the court that the warrant used to conduct the raid on Moran's home was illegal. "The search of Mr Pastras and the seizure of the money on him only arose because he was invited into the house by police," Mr Shirrefs said. He said the money could not be deemed proceeds of crime because Moran had not touched the cash and police said it was related to a drug deal "purported to have occurred". Magistrate Ann Collins ruled in April 2004 that Savas Pastras had no case to answer because police could not prove the money was derived from a crime. Collins cleared Mr Pastras in the Broadmeadows Magistrates Court after finding that police could not prove that the money, stashed in a green plastic shopping bag, had anything to do with the sale of drugs. She also found that police could not prove that traces of heroin and cocaine found on the cash did not come from other sources.
2009
- On Monday 15 June underworld identity Desmond Moran was shot dead at Ascot Vale in Melbourne's north-west. Des Moran was the brother of slain underworld figure Lewis MoranLewis MoranLewis Moran was an Australian organized crime figure and patriarch of the infamous Moran family of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Notable for his involvement in the Melbourne gangland killings, Moran was shot dead in a Melbourne hotel The Brunswick Club in 2004...
, who was murdered in 2004 during Melbourne's gangland war, and uncle to Mark and Jason Moran, who were also killed in gangland disputes. Des Moran originally escaped serious injury in March 2009 when shots were fired outside his Ascot Vale home. He was in his car with a friend when one shot was fired through the front windscreen, narrowly missing the pair. At the time, a Purana Task Force detective said police did not believe that incident was gangland related. On Tuesday 16 June, his sister-in-law Judy MoranJudy MoranJudy Moran is the matriarch of the infamous Moran criminal family of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Judy Moran was first married to Leslie John "Johnny" Cole, who was shot dead in Sydney drug-related gangland conflict in 1982...
was arrested and charged as the driver, along with two other people in relation to the murder. Judy Moran's house was coincidentally burnt down while she was in custody.
2010
- On 19 April 2010, Carl Williams died while incarcerated at Barwon Prison after allegedly being bashed by a fellow inmate, while another was on the phone. His death was the result of a cardiac arrest linked to severe head injuries received during the attack. Carl Williams murderer is known as Matthew Charles Johnston, 37, who was already serving multiple life sentences for unrelated gangland murders. It was rumoured that the police who were monitoring the security tapes were playing indoor cricket at the time of the murder and that the bashing was a result of news about Carl's daughter's education being paid for by taxpayers. During the 2011 murder trial it was revealed Assistant Police Commissioner Simon Overland had offered a deal to Williams in order for Carl to give information on several unsolved murders potentially involving corrupt police officers. It is believed the accused may have actually been involved in at least one of these cases.
Arrests and sentencing
Carl Williams was later charged along with Victor Brincat and Thomas Hentschel . He pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges relating to his arrest in 2001 and in October 2004 was given a seven year jail sentence, which he was serving in the maximum security Acacia unit of Barwon Prison at the time of his death.Thomas Hentschel turned informer http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VSC/2005/6.html and consequently, on 17 September 2004, Alfonso Traglia, Victor Brincat and Carl Williams were charged with the murders of Jason Moran
Jason Moran
Jason Matthew Patrick Moran was an Australian criminal from Melbourne, Victoria, and one of the leaders of the Moran crime family, notable for its involvement in the Melbourne gangland killings. He sported a 12 cm scar on the side of his face.-Early life:Moran was the son of Lewis Moran and...
and Pasquale Barbaro. In May 2005 Carl Williams was additionally charged with the murder of Mark Moran, after a former employee agreed to testify that he was Carl's driver on the day of the incident, and drove him to a location near Mark's house at the time of the murder. Zarah Garde-Wilson
Zarah Garde-Wilson
Zarah Garde-Wilson is an Australian solicitor in Victoria who has acted for many persons under investigation by Victoria Police in relation to the Melbourne gangland killings of 1998-2006....
, the widow of Lewis Caine, is defending all of the men in their court cases.
Conspiracy to murder charges against George Defteros and Mario Condello
Mario Condello
Mario Condello was an Italian-Australian organized crime figure. Condello, once a lawyer, was a member of the Carlton Crew, who is believed to have been a money launderer for Melbourne's Calabrian mafia...
were dropped nolle prosequi
Nolle prosequi
Nolle prosequi is legal term of art and a Latin legal phrase meaning "to be unwilling to pursue", a phrase amounting to "please do not prosecute". It is a phrase used in many common law criminal prosecution contexts to describe a prosecutor's decision to voluntarily discontinue criminal charges...
by the DPP
Director of Public Prosecutions
The Director of Public Prosecutions is the officer charged with the prosecution of criminal offences in several criminal jurisdictions around the world...
in June 2005.
In May 2005, Keith Faure
Keith Faure
Keith George Faure , from Norlane, Victoria, is an Australian career criminal, convicted of multiple murders and manslaughters. He is currently serving life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 19 years for his role in two murders related to the Melbourne gangland killings...
, brother Noel Faure, 50, and Evangelos Goussis
Evangelos Goussis
Evangelos Goussis, is an Australian former boxer and kickboxer from Geelong, Victoria, and is a multiple murderer, guilty of the murders of two victims of the Melbourne gangland killings...
, 37, all of Geelong were charged with the murder of Lewis Moran
Lewis Moran
Lewis Moran was an Australian organized crime figure and patriarch of the infamous Moran family of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Notable for his involvement in the Melbourne gangland killings, Moran was shot dead in a Melbourne hotel The Brunswick Club in 2004...
and the attempted murder of Bert Wrout. Security footage from Moran's murder showed that one of the gunmen had a tattoo
Tattoo
A tattoo is made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. Tattoos on humans are a type of body modification, and tattoos on other animals are most commonly used for identification purposes...
identical to one of the accused. Previously Keith and Evangelos been charged with the murder of Lewis Caine. Faure and associate, Evangelos Goussis became the first convicted of murder related to the gangland killings on 3 November 2005.
Known underworld figure Nicholas Ibrahim and Abraham Mokdessi was charged with the murder of Housam Zayat. During the trial in June 2005 an eyewitness to the shooting refused at the last minute to testify against Ibrahim, and was charged with contempt of court.
In June 2005 Domenic Gatto
Domenic Gatto
Domenic "Mick" Gatto is an Italian-Australian criminal and is known for his involvement in the Melbourne underworld.Gatto is a 'professional mediator' within the building industry in Melbourne...
was found not guilty of the murder of Andrew Veniamin
Andrew Veniamin
Andrew "Benji" Veniamin was an Australian criminal, convicted car thief, murderer accused of killing 7 underworld figures and was one of the key figures involved in the Melbourne underworld killings...
. During the trial, he claimed he had acted in self defence after Veniamin pulled out a .38
.38 Special
The .38 Smith & Wesson Special is a rimmed, centerfire cartridge designed by Smith & Wesson. It is most commonly used in revolvers, although some semi-automatic pistols and carbines also use this round...
and threatened to kill him. Gatto claims that during a struggle he was able to turn the gun around on Veniamin and fire one shot into his neck, and one shot in the eye. He also claimed that during the argument, Veniamin had implicated himself in the deaths of Dino Dibra, Paul Kallipolitis and Graham Kinniburgh.
On 3 November 2005, Keith Faure
Keith Faure
Keith George Faure , from Norlane, Victoria, is an Australian career criminal, convicted of multiple murders and manslaughters. He is currently serving life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 19 years for his role in two murders related to the Melbourne gangland killings...
and Evangelos Goussis became the first convicted with murder related to the Melbourne gangland killings. Both have appealed their conviction.
On 14 July 2006, Damien Cossu was arrested at gunpoint while driving in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
. He was charged with the murder of Mark Mallia whose tortured body was stuffed in a wheelie bin, dumped in a stormwater drain and set alight. Cossu was also present at the murder of Nik Radev
Nik Radev
Nikolai "The Russian" Radev was a Bulgarian refugee who became known as a career criminal in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
.
On 28 February 2007, Carl Williams pleaded guilty to murdering Jason Moran
Jason Moran
Jason Matthew Patrick Moran was an Australian criminal from Melbourne, Victoria, and one of the leaders of the Moran crime family, notable for its involvement in the Melbourne gangland killings. He sported a 12 cm scar on the side of his face.-Early life:Moran was the son of Lewis Moran and...
in June 2003 and his father Lewis Moran
Lewis Moran
Lewis Moran was an Australian organized crime figure and patriarch of the infamous Moran family of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Notable for his involvement in the Melbourne gangland killings, Moran was shot dead in a Melbourne hotel The Brunswick Club in 2004...
in March 2004. He also pleaded guilty to a third murder, but the name of that victim was suppressed until recently when it was announced that it was Mark Mallia.
On 6 June 2007, it was announced that Mokbel had been arrested in a café in Athens. At the time of his arrest, his appearance had changed significantly from when he went missing. Wearing a brown stuff wig and having grown a beard, Mokbel was found carrying a fake Australian passport and driver's license in the name of Stephen Papas. Tony Mokbel was finally extradited back to Melbourne (and Barwon Prison) on 17 May 2008, from Athens via a heavily guarded, private charter plane. His flight path included refuelling in the Maldives and Port Hedland, before landing at Tullamarine. He was then flown in a police helicopter to Barwon Prison. He appeared via video link to the Melbourne Magistrates Court on 20 May 2008.
On the same night Mokbel was arrested, police carried out a raid on an underworld gang calling themselves 'The Company'. Fourteen other underworld figures were arrested in Melbourne. Drugs, weapons and $790,000 in cash were seized.
Purana Taskforce detectives arrested Angelo Mario Venditti for the murder of Paul Kallipoitis on 29 July 2008.
On 9 March 2011, Judy Moran, the mother of slain sons, Mark and Jason Moran and also the ex-de facto partner of Lewis Moran (who was murdered in 2004) was found guilty of the murder of her brother-in-law Desmond "Tuppence" Moran. Moran claimed that she was visiting her son, Mark's grave at Fawkner cemetery at the time as the date of the murder was also the ninth anniversary of Mark's death. But the real motive for the crime was on ongoing dispute between Judy and Des over the money remaining after the murders of three family members. Judy Moran drove the shooter, Geoffery Armour and also accomplice Michael Farrugia to and from the Ascot Vale deli where Des was eventually shot and killed. It was then revealed that Armour pleaded guilty to the murder of Des Moran with Farrugia pleading guilty to manslaughter months earlier before becoming the prosecution's star witness in the case against Judy Moran in which the jury took seven days to deliberate before finally finding Moran guilty of murder.
External links
- Melbournecrime.com Crime Scene - Melbourne Underworld (An online guide to the Melbourne Underworld)
- Melbourne's Underworld WalkleyWalkley AwardsThe annual Walkley Awards, under the administration of the Walkley Foundation for Journalism, are presented in Australia to recognise and reward excellence in journalism. Finalists are chosen by an independent board of eminent journalists and photographers. The awards cover all media including...
award-winning flash-based segment from The AgeThe AgeThe Age is a daily broadsheet newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. Owned and published by Fairfax Media, The Age primarily serves Victoria, but is also available for purchase in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and border regions of South Australia and...
website - The Age: Features: Gangland Killings (all articles relating to the murders up until 3 June 2004) The AgeThe AgeThe Age is a daily broadsheet newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. Owned and published by Fairfax Media, The Age primarily serves Victoria, but is also available for purchase in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and border regions of South Australia and...
- The Age: Features: Crime & Corruption (recent archive of crime-related articles in melbourne) The AgeThe AgeThe Age is a daily broadsheet newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. Owned and published by Fairfax Media, The Age primarily serves Victoria, but is also available for purchase in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and border regions of South Australia and...
- Melbourne Underworld News News, links, analysis and comments on Melbourne's Underworld Anonymous Blog.
- 'Filthy Rat by Simon Illingworth - an insight into Melbourne's gangland killings and police corruption.