Claims slain mafia lawyer 'lunched' with Malcolm Turnbull, raised $100,000 for Liberal Party
The lawyer found slain behind his Melbourne restaurant, spent two decades donating to and meeting senior Liberal Party figures – including Malcolm Turnbull – on behalf Melbourne Mafia figures, according to reports.
Fairfax reports Joe Acquaro spoke about his access to Victorian state and federal Liberal politicians, including how he raised more than $100,000 for the party.
Mr Acquaro was found shot dead on March 15 among the garbage behind his gelato bar in Brunswick East.
Before his death, Acquaro reportedly sat down for a lunch meeting with Malcolm Turnbull in 2008, after he became Opposition Leader.
Acquaro was reportedly a man who saw himself as the legal, political and business advisor for alleged Calabrian Mafia cell in Melbourne.
The alleged Mafia figure and Liberal donor Tony Madafferi was also reported to be at the lunch, as were other small party donors, Fairfax reports.
Fairfax reports Mr Acquaro claimed the meeting was organised by Victorian Liberal MP Russell Braodbent, before his death.
A spokesman for the PM said Mr Turnbull "recalls attending a fundraiser lunch for Russell Broadbent in Melbourne in 2008 with a number of Mr Broadbent's local supporters" but he "does not recall the names of Mr Broadbent's guests".
They added the PM could recall meeting with Mr Acquaro to discuss energy-efficient light bulbs with 'a businessman' and 'other associates' but could not recall their names.
Fairfax reports said businessman was an associate of Mr Madafferi and Mr Acquaro and that Mr Acquaro had previously lobbied Mr Turnbull unsuccessfully when he was environment minister for contracts to supply energy-efficient globes to government offices.
It's reported a number of leaked photos and documents reveal the extent of Mr Acquaro's connections and access over his time working for Mr Madafferi.
These included several meetings with Mr Broadbent, some at Parliament House.
Mr Broadbent said Mr Acquaro and Mr Madafferi sought an audience with him as part of a delegation of prominent Victorian-Italian fruit growers.
The MP said he took the men to the Parliament members' dining room for lunch, "something I have done at least 50 times when different people have visited my office at lunchtime".
Mr Broadbent once defended Mr Madafferi against a police ban from Crown Casino based on his alleged Mafia ties, with the MP saying he had never known him as anything more than "an upright supermarket owner".
News break – May 23
