OFF THE WIRE
THE son of a Hells Angels bikie gxxg boss "deeply regrets" his role in an elaborate money laundering conspiracy and plans to redeem himself, his mother said in an emotional plea to a judge.Dallas Fitzgerald's mother Leigh wrote to a District Court judge as her son faces sentencing for a $20 million money laundering scheme.
In a typed testimonial, Leigh Fitzgerald painted a picture of her son far removed from the son of a bikie gxxg boss, saying he had given tirelessly to those less fortunate than himself.
"He has a very giving heart. Apart from all he does for me, I know he has often helped out homeless people on the street with clothing and food," Mrs Fitzgerald wrote.
"He often goes to the park and plays chess with them."
She said her son had "great integrity and morals" and had "never touched alcohol or drugs and leads a very healthy lifestyle".
The reference was one of three tendered to Fitzgerald's brief sentencing hearing on Thursday.
Fitzgerald, son of Hells Angels leader Felix Lyle, was found guilty by a jury of being part of the $20 million money laundering scheme, the funds stolen from JP Morgan on Christmas Eve 2003 and laundered through Hong Kong.
The jury found Fitzgerald was a key player in the scam, which was headed by Sydney underworld figure Tony Vincent. Fitzgerald is the last of the group to be dealt with by the courts.
Mrs Fitzgerald's letter said her son "deeply regrets this offence as he realises it has not only affected himself but all those around him who love him most".
"He knows his young children are going to be profoundly affected and I have noticed he is not his usual contented self," she said.
"I am confident that Dallas will learn from this stage of his life and will do everything possible to redeem himself and make sure he is never in this position again."
Fitzgerald's kung fu teacher also wrote to the court, describing the offence as "totally out of character".
"I have watched him grow from a young lad into a dedicated family man," Cheuk Fai Chan said.
"I find he has integrity and am very saddened that Dallas has been charged and found guilty of this offence ... I am sure (he) deeply regrets the pain he has caused his whole family and am confident he has learned his lesson."
Fitzgerald, whose wife and children were in court on Thursday, remains behind bars.
His sentencing hearing will continue next week.
The Crown has argued only a full-time custodial sentence is appropriate,.
The maximum penalty for the offence is 25 years in jail.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/bikie-son-dallas-fitzgerald-is-more-like-an-angel-to-mum/story-e6freuzi-1226199508947
