Tony Mokbel's women allowed to keep alleged drug money

CRIME boss Tony Mokbel's family and friends will not be charged over claims they pocketed $500,000 in drug money.

According to court documents, some of Mokbel's nearest and dearest were paid hundreds of thousands in cash by his drug enterprise, dubbed The Company, while he was on the run from his cocaine trial in 2006.

His former girlfriend Danielle McGuire, his ex-wife, mother, sisters-in-law and an aunt are among those recorded in a computer file kept by The Company as being paid bundles of cash on Mokbel's orders.

But police have confirmed they won't be pursuing any of them.

Families who have lost loved ones to drugs attacked the decision, saying anyone who profited from drug crime - even unwittingly - should be made to give it back.

The computer file, which was seized by police, allegedly recorded all of the drug operation's profits, payments and expenses in the year after Mokbel absconded from his Supreme Court

The Company was set up to finance Mokbel's escape and his new life in Greece.

Mokbel's mother Lora, his ex-wife Carmel Delorenzo, sisters-in-law Renate and Zaharoula, and the aunt were among those who were allegedly paid from The Company's profits on orders from Mokbel.

They are listed in the document - known as the "Raymond Weil" file - under special codenames including "Blondie" and "Greek Mrs".

Members of The Company, who later pleaded guilty over the drug business, interpreted the code names for police and made statements about handing over cash to Mokbel relatives and associates.

The Herald Sun believes no charges were brought because prosecutors couldn't prove those under scrutiny had knowingly received the proceeds of drug trafficking.

A police spokesman declined to confirm why charges were not brought but said the decision had been made in consultation with the Office of Public Prosecutions. The decision came after meetings between key investigators and OPP officials.

Under the Crimes Act, a person who receives money reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime can be jailed for up to two years.

Prosecutors need to prove that the person handled the cash and there were reasonable grounds to believe it came from an illicit source.

Tony Trimingham, founder of help group Family Drug Support, lost his son, Damien, to a drug overdose 14 years ago.

He said even if Mokbel's family and friends were innocent of criminal offences, the money should be pursued through the courts.

"It sends the message to the criminals that all they have to do it is distribute their wealth," he said.

According to the seized file, Mokbel's childhood chum and South Yarra boutique owner Emidio Navarolli - whose bank account was once used to hide $150,000 Mokbel didn't want frozen by the courts - pocketed $75,000.

In 2007 the Supreme Court found Navarolli had lied when he claimed the account held his winnings from betting on horses.

Renate Mokbel, who went to jail after failing to come up with the $1 million surety she promised for Mokbel's bail, received $43,000 in cash. And it is alleged almost $60,000 in legal fees were also paid.

Mokbel's ex-wife, Carmel Delorenzo, was allegedly given $52,000.

Ms McGuire's mother, Joan Madin, was allegedly given a $2000 birthday gift, handed over at a shopping centre by Mokbel associates along with a photo of Mokbel and Ms McGuire's baby, who was referred to as "the heir to the throne".

CCTV footage from Sunshine Plaza shows Ms Madin meeting the Mokbel associates on the day an entry from the file notes a payment of $2000 to "D MUM".

Mokbel is believed to be deeply disappointed over reports Ms McGuire has found a new partner while he languishes in jail.

heraldsun 2 Jul 2011

Another 'money for mates' deal and cover up of police corruption.

If a 'normal' person were to be the recipient of drug proceeds they not only would have the money confiscated but also be incarcerated.

There is a moratorium into the further digging of into the finances and the money trail of the drug lords, as there would be a trace into the hands of police.

There is no mention of corrupt police involvement in one of the most media covered events into the 'secret' life of Melbourne's drug underground.

This action indicates that the government is supporting the illegal trade of drugs and its profits.