Joel Leavitt case reveals loophole letting bikie bosses collect debts
Blackmail charges against Bandidos president Joel Leavitt were dropped because Victorian law may not clearly make his alleged threats a crime.
Leavitt was recorded telling a victim "someone has to pay" even though the victim owed no debt. Police also filmed Leavitt and gang members visiting the man's businesses.
The Office of Public Prosecutions dropped the charges, saying Victorian law may not clearly spell out the "menacing behaviour" needed to prove blackmail. Police have asked the government to toughen laws since 2014.
Leavitt pleaded guilty to lesser charges and was fined.
- More than $650,000
- Alleged demand amount
- Joel Leavitt, Bandidos president
- Defendant
- Since 2014
- Police requests for law change
- Several patched Bandidos
- Gang members in CCTV
Why it mattersThe case shows a legal gap that lets bikie gang bosses work as debt collectors in the construction industry with little risk.
AustraliaVictoria's construction sector remains vulnerable to bikie infiltration; police reform requests have been ignored for 12 years despite documented threats.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au·watoday.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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