Australia, Finks bikies face contempt charges in WA

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http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaking-news-national/finks-bikies-face-contempt-charges-in-wa-20101124-18794.html Finks bikies face contempt charges in WA November 24, 2010 - 6:14PM

AAP

Five members, nominees and associates of the Finks Motorcycle Club are facing court for alleged contempt of Western Australia's corruption watchdog.

The contempt cases stem from recent organised crime examinations held in private by the Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC).

The five men are facing the Supreme Court over 40 allegations of contempt, the CCC said in a statement on Wednesday.

Advertisement: Story continues below The private examinations were part of an ongoing WA Police investigation, Operation Tri-Star, targeting the Coffin Cheaters Motorcycle Club.

There are 24 allegations of contempt for refusing or failing to answer questions, two of contempt for refusing to take an oath and 14 of insulting the commission, the CCC statement said.

Another Finks Motorcycle Club member faces a charge in the Perth Magistrates Court of hindering the commission in the performance of its organised crime function.

Under this function, the Commissioner of Police may apply to the CCC Commissioner to use exceptional powers to investigate serious and organised crime.

The exceptional power in this case involved summoning witnesses to compulsorily give evidence at a private examination before the commission.

The CCC cannot under its Act directly investigate organised crime.

One of the men will appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on November 26 while the others will appear in the Supreme Court on November 25.

Contempt of the commission is equivalent to contempt of the Supreme Court, which is subject to the penalty of a fine or jail on the court's discretion.