Brian Burke to face a new corruption trial

Updated

September 14, 2011 19:11:26


Brian Burke
Photo:
Brian Burke leaves court after learning he will face a new trial over corruption charges

WA’s highest court has ordered that former premier Brian Burke and two other men should face a new trial on corruption charges.

Mr Burke’s business partner Julian Grill, and former public servant Nathan Hondros, had been acquitted of corruption charges by a Supreme Court judge who last year found they had no case to answer.

Those charges arose out of hearings at the Corruption and Crime Commission into the influence of lobbyists on public servants.

It was alleged that Mr Burke and Mr Grill had improperly procured information from Mr Hondros about a government policy.

Prosecutors appealed against the judge’s decision and today, in a unanimous decision, the Court of Appeal ruled he had made an error in law.

The men have been released on bail and are due to appear in court again next month.

Outside the court, Mr Burke maintained that the corruption case against him is flawed.

“While there might be some narrow legal grounds for dismissing Judge Murray’s decision, the charge itself is just not substantial,” he said.

Mr Burke estimates that he has spent more than $1.25 million on his legal costs so far.

“The cost is horrendous and the burden on the family becomes intolerable so it’s a very distressing day for us and we wonder what it’s all about and when it might stop,” he said.

Julian Grill says he is also disappointed by decision but he remains confident he will eventually be cleared of the charges.

“We’ve been acquitted once before on these charges comprehensively and I maintain our innocence,” he said.

“I’ve got faith in the judicial system and I confidently expect we’ll be acquitted next time around.”

Premier Colin Barnett says he hopes Mr Burke gets a fair trial.

“I have no personal malice against Brian Burke; I just hope he will have fair and proper treatment through the court system,” he said.

“He, like anyone else, is entitled to that, and as far as I’m concerned, it’s not a matter that concerns the government anymore; that’s a matter for him to deal with, for the prosecution and his lawyers.”

Topics:
courts-and-trials,
fraud-and-corporate-crime,
perth-6000

First posted

September 14, 2011 12:03:42



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