‘Clear breach': Mick Gatto's gifts fuelled concern he took union by the wrist
One was given to a CFMEU boss who was pressed to return it after accusations he had disrespected the notorious Melbourne underworld figure. Call it the story of Gatto's gold.
This masthead's ongoing investigation into underworld involvement in Australia's construction industry has confirmed that Gatto gave more than a dozen Versace gold bracelets to Victorian CFMEU officials he considered his closest allies or to those he wanted onside, including the most powerful branch leaders along with the union's up-and-comers.
Versace chains are favoured among the underworld and retail from between $1000 to several thousand dollars, depending on the design and any extras, such as diamonds.
The recipients included former assistant secretary Derek Christopher, who remains the subject of an unrelated police investigation into suspicions he received kickbacks from large building companies in return for favourable treatment, and Joe Myles, the ex-union vice president accused of helping to recruit bikies into the CFMEU.
Union sources, speaking anonymously out of concern over possible retribution, said it was Myles who offended Gatto and was asked to hand his gift back.
The revelation of Gatto's gold gifts marks another scandal for a union drowning in scandals and puts Albanese government-appointed CFMEU administrator Mark Irving in an invidious position as some of the gift-takers are still key officials helping rebuild what was once the country's most powerful union, after the Building Bad investigation by this masthead.
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