In an embarrassing twist in one of the few prosecutions to come from the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption, the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will drop a blackmail charge against Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) organiser John Lomax.
ACT DPP Jon White confirmed his office would offer no evidence against Lomax when he next appears in court on October 19.
CFMEU national construction secretary Dave Noonan said Lomax had been relieved by the news. “I think it's highly likely that his lawyers will be seeking orders as to costs … and will look at what options are open to address the damage that has been done.
“I'd like to know why they have proceeded this way in a case that was hopeless and could not be proved?”
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