OFF THE WIRE
Senior Finks motorcycle gang members and their colleagues face allegations of contempt after refusing to co-operate with a joint police and Corruption and Crime Commission investigation into the brawl at the Perth Motorplex.
Senior Fink Stephen Wallace had three fingers severed by a knife, gang member David Marrapodi suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and another man also linked to the club suffered a serious head wound.
Coffin Cheaters were held responsible after CCTV vision showed up to 20 gang members from both clubs in the clash.
Five members, nominees and associates of the Finks will face the Supreme Court over 40 allegations of contempt for the secret CCC investigation.
A sixth Fink member will face Perth Magistrates Court for hindering the watchdog's Commissioner Len Roberts-Smith QC.
Three of the five men charged face 24 counts of refusing or failing to answer questions by the commissioner, while the remaining two men were charged with refusing to take the oath.
Meanwhile one of those men, a 29-year-old from Balga, was also charged with 14 counts of insulting Mr Roberts-Smith.
The hearings were conducted under new exceptional powers granted to the commission to help target organised crime.
The Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan applied to the CCC to summon the witnesses to compulsorily give evidence at the private examination.
A 46-year-old Alexander Heights man, a 41-year-old Two Rocks man, a 48-year-old Henley Brook man, a 37-year-old Wanneroo man and the 29-year-old will all face the Supreme Court tomorrow.
Contempt of the commission is the equivalent to contempt of the Supreme Court, which can range from a hefty fine to a term of imprisonment.
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/finks-charged-with-contempt-over-motorplex-brawl-20101124-1879d.html
