Blackmail charge dropped; former CFMEU delegate fined $2,000
Joel Leavitt pleaded guilty to debt collection offences, drawing only a $2,000 fine when prosecutors dropped the blackmail charge.
Prosecutors dropped a blackmail charge against Joel Leavitt, a former union official linked to bikie gangs. He left court with a $2,000 fine.
Leavitt had been charged with blackmailing a business owner for $663,000. On Thursday he pleaded guilty to two things: refusing to give his phone PIN to police, and working as a debt collector.
He was banned from that work after an assault conviction in 2023. Magistrate Donna Bakos convicted him and fined him $2,000.
Blackmail can carry up to 15 years in prison. He was arrested by Taskforce Hawk, the Victoria Police unit investigating building corruption.
Police previously identified him as a patched member of the Bandidos motorcycle gang.
- $2,000
- Fine amount
- $663,000 from a business owner
- Alleged extortion
- 15 years' imprisonment for blackmail
- Maximum penalty
- Patched member of Bandidos motorcycle gang
- Gang affiliation
Why it mattersA serious crime charge was dropped. Leavitt faced only a $2,000 fine. The outcome raises questions about how strong the case was.
AustraliaThis is part of an ongoing Victoria Police investigation into construction industry corruption. The outcome may signal how willing prosecutors are to push major cases against figures with organised crime links.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 4 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
