Ron Medich

Ronald Edward Medich (born 11 April 1948, in Innisfail, Queensland) is an Australian property developer who, on 23 April 2018, was found guilty in the Supreme Court of New South Wales of ordering the 2009 contract murder of Scottish Australian businessman Michael McGurk, and the subsequent intimidation of McGurk's wife, Kimberly. Medich is currently serving a 39-year sentence; and the earliest date he will be eligible for parole is 26 February 2048.

Ron Medich
Born
Ronald Edward Medich

(1948-04-11) 11 April 1948
Innisfail, Queensland
NationalityAustralian
EducationSt Joseph's College, Hunters Hill
Criminal statusIncarcerated
Criminal chargeMurder and intimidation
Penalty39 years in custody; with a non-parole period of 30 years
Partner(s)
  • Fortunato "Lucky" Gattellari (soliciting the murder of McGurk and being an accessory after the fact)
  • Senad Kaminic (an accessory before and after the fact)
  • Haissam Safetli
    (murder of McGurk)
  • Christopher Estephan
    (murder of McGurk)
Details
VictimsMichael McGurk
Date3 September 2009 (2009-09-03)
18:30-18:45
Notes

Biography

Medich was born in 1948 in Innisfail, Queensland to a Croatian-born immigrant. Medich's father worked as a canecutter, before moving to Cabramatta, Sydney and commenced developing land in Sydney’s south-west. Educated at St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill, Medich and his younger brother, Roy, developed industrial and residential sites in the Liverpool area;[4] including the El Toro Hotel, Liverpool, the Stardust Hotel, Cabramatta, and the Greenfield Tavern Hotel.[5] According to the BRW Rich 200, the Medich brothers' estimated net worth was $135 million in May 2005 and included property investments in south-western Sydney, Leichhardt, the Hunter Valley and Melbourne. Following the 2007 sale of their Leichhardt investment property, Ron and Roy Medich split their business interests.[6]

In November 2011 the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) commenced an inquiry that heard allegations that Ian Macdonald, while a Minister in the Government of New South Wales, accepted sexual favours in return for introducing businessmen to executives of state-owned energy companies. It was also alleged that Ron Medich acted as a broker for Macdonald and was seeking to do business with government agencies where Macdonald had influence as a Minister.[7] Appearing before the Commission to give evidence in relation to the allegations, Macdonald claimed that he was under the influence of alcohol and suffering the effects of depression at the time of the alleged incident.[8]

Connection with McGurk

Medich and McGurk had a series of significant and ongoing business interests.[9][10][11][12] In various media reports, it was claimed that Medich and McGurk were in dispute,[13][14][15] including matters that were brought before the Federal Court by Medich against McGurk and his wife, and various companies associated with McGurk. These matters were heard by the Court and dismissed on 8 April 2009, due to Medich failing to disclose material facts.[16] Costs were awarded against Medich. In another matter, currently awaiting resolution, Medich and the Executors of McGurk's estate are in dispute. The matter has been stood over, for the present.[13][17]

Michael McGurk was shot by a single gunshot to his head some time between 6:30 pm and 6:45 pm on 3 September 2009 outside his family home in Cremorne.[18] McGurk lived in the house with his wife, Kimberley, and their four children and were reportedly "...a Catholic family, a lovely family."[19] According to friends and McGurk's priest, he was a generous man and doting father.[20] McGurk's nine-year-old son, Luc, was with him at the time of the shooting and is reported to have been a witness to the murder.[19] Emergency services were called to the murder scene and rendered assistance to McGurk; however he could not be saved and died at the scene of the shooting.[21]

Within days of McGurk's death, it was revealed that McGurk had a tape recording of a conversation with Medich, which McGurk was allegedly using to try to extort money from Medich.[22] It was alleged that Medich was attempting to influence government officials by improper means. It was reported that Medich sought planning approval to rezone land that he owned at Badgerys Creek on the south-western fringes of Sydney. There was immense and, what some described as, sensational media coverage about these tapes, their content, and possible ramifications. On 5 September 2009 The Sydney Morning Herald ran with a front-page banner "Exclusive: Secret tape blamed for killing”. Directly below the banner: “It could bring down the Government.”[23]

On 6 September 2009, Graham Richardson, a former senior Government minister in the Hawke and Keating Labor governments and now political lobbyist, told Channel Nine that he had heard the tape and the key part which apparently exposes the Labor figures was inaudible.[24] Richardson went on to say that McGurk was allegedly trying to blackmail Medich for $8 million and that Richardson had provided a formal statement to NSW Police in around June 2009.[24] Commenting on Richardson's very public denial of the tapes containing any matter of substance,[25] Jennifer Hewett, national affairs columnist with The Australian, wrote:

The very notion that Richardson – a man normally desperate to avoid contributing to his media profile these days – is so determined to publicly dismiss the significance of the tape should set off plenty of alarms.

On 8 September 2009, NSW Police passed a copy of this tape to ICAC. However, on 9 September 2009, a motion was carried in the Legislative Council to establish an inquiry into Badgerys Creek land dealings and planning decisions. The inquiry's Terms of Reference included inquiring into and "report on land dealings and planning decisions relating to land or interests in land held solely or jointly by Ron Medich Properties Pty Ltd and Roy Medich Properties Pty Ltd in or around Badgerys Creek", with a particular focus on roles of the Minister for Planning, other Ministers, NSW Planning, other government agencies, members of parliament, political parties and lobbyists, and to make recommendations about planning integrity.[26] Fourteen submissions were received, including submissions from Richardson, NSW Planning (via Sam Haddad), the Property Council of Australia, and Penrith City Council. Public hearings were held on:[27]

  • 29 September 2009 – appearing were Haddad and other NSW Planning officials, Kristina Keneally in her capacity as Minister for Planning, and both Roy and Ron Medich;
  • 19 October 2009 – appearing were Frank Sartor, in his capacity as a former Minister for Planning, Richardson, and Haddad and other NSW Planning officials; and
  • 14 December 2009 – Richardson again appeared.

An interim report was tabled to Parliament on 20 November 2009, and made eleven recommendations with a focus on stronger regulation of contact between planning officials, development proponents and lobbyists. The Committee also recommended tighter regulation of political donations.[28] The supplementary report was tabled on 25 February 2010 and only became necessary as a result of Richardson's unwillingness to respond in writing to questions submitted after his evidence at the Committee's first hearing.[29]

Meanwhile, based on information in the recording plus media reports and information provided by an inmate in a correction centre, ICAC identified 13 matters for investigation.[30] A public enquiry was held over five days, and commenced on 1 February 2010. Medich, Haddad, and Richardson all gave evidence at the ICAC Inquiry. The Commissioner determined that there were no findings of corrupt conduct; and was unable to substantiate any of the 13 allegations.[30]

Arrests

On 13 October 2010, 13 months after the murder of McGurk, homicide detectives arrested the following:[22][31][32]

  • Fortunato "Lucky" Gattellari (60), a former Australian featherweight boxing champion and brother of Rocky Gattellari – charged with soliciting the murder of McGurk and being an accessory after the fact
  • Senad Kaminic (42), a former Bosnian soldier and business associate of Gattellari – charged with being an accessory before and after the fact
  • Haissam Safetli (45) – charged with murder of McGurk
  • Christopher Estephan (20) – charged with murder of McGurk

It was reported that four days after the murder of McGurk, police seized a number of weapons from Gattellari's home.[22] Media reports claim that Gattellari was appointed a director to a number of companies associated with Medich in July 2009.[33] Court documents lodged by police, allege that some time after 1 May 2009, Gattellari solicited Safetli to murder McGurk and that for more than 13 months after the killing "did receive, harbour, maintain, and assist" Safetli.[31] Medich, who has reportedly known Gattellari from childhood,[22][32] had lent millions to Gattellari, including $4.8 million between November 2009 and October 2010[34] and $16 million in total, through various joint ventures.[34]

On 27 October 2010 police also arrested Medich, and charged him with soliciting to murder McGurk. Police alleged that Medich was the mastermind of the murder plot.[35] Police arrested Medich at his solicitor's office and it was reported that Gattellari agreed to give evidence against Medich[36] in defence of his own conspiracy charges. It was also reported that Safetli was prepared to give evidence against Medich.[36] Despite Medich offering to put up $1 million in surety and his younger brother Roy Medich offering $500,000 in cash, bail was refused. A few days later, Medich was charged with murder of Michael McGurk.[37] Much media attention was made of Medich's fall from grace,[38] as he spent a little under two months in solitary confinement whilst in custody, before being released on conditional bail.[39] In a 2013 committal hearing, Medich pleaded not guilty to the murder of McGurk, and pleaded not guilty to a charge of intimidation in relation to McGurk's wife, Kim. A trial date of August 2014 was set, before Justice Megan Latham.[40]

Convictions and sentencing

After pleading guilty in the NSW Supreme Court, Gattellari was sentenced by Justice Megan Latham in April 2013 to a maximum of 10 years jail. He is currently serving a sentence reduced by sixty per cent after agreeing to testify against Medich and others on behalf of the Crown.[41] He was eligible for parole on 13 April 2018 and, after the NSW Parole Board refused parole, Gattellari lodged an appeal against the decision. Gattellari is facing further charges, together with Roger Rogerson and Glen McNamara, for allegedly attempting to extort Medich.[42][43][44]

Kaminic, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced in April 2013 to a minimum 2½ years in jail and a maximum of 4½ and was eligible for parole in November 2017.[45]

Estephan pleaded not guilty and was tried for murder. After a jury found him guilty, in April 2013 he was sentenced by Justice Geoffrey Bellew to a maximum of 6 years and 5 months' jail, with a minimum non-parole period of five years. Estephan was eligible for parole on 12 October 2015.[46]

In August 2013 Safetli pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 6½ years' jail for the murder of McGurk, and another 6 months for intimidating his widow.[47]

After a jury failed to reach a verdict in a 2017 trial,[48] Medich was again tried before a Supreme Court jury and, on 23 April 2018, was found guilty of ordering the murder of McGurk, and of intimidating McGurk's wife, Kimberley. Medich had earlier plead not guilty to both charges.[49][50][51][52][53][54] On 21 June 2018 in the Supreme Court, Medich was sentenced to a custodial sentence of 39 years; with a minimum non-parole period of 30 years.[1][2][3]

Personal life

Medich is married to Odetta, a Lithuanian-born taxation lawyer and arts benefactor,[55][56] and together they have six children. In 2017 it was reported Medich and his wife are estranged.[57]

In 1990, Medich built a home in Denham Court, which he and his wife sold for $3.4 million in 2003. They relocated to Point Piper.[58]

References
  1. McClymont, Kate (21 June 2018). "Ron Medich jailed for at least 30 years for murder of Michael McGurk". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  2. Sas, Nick; Raper, Ashleigh (21 June 2018). "Ron Medich: Millionaire property developer sentenced to 39 years in jail after execution-style murder". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  3. "Ron Medich jailed for 30 years for murder and intimidation". Guardian Australia. Australian Associated Press. 21 June 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  4. McClymont, Kate (23 April 2018). "Guilty of murdering Michael McGurk, Ron Medich likely to die in jail". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  5. Carson, Vanda; McClymont, Kate (22 December 2010). "Hectic day for Medich brothers". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  6. O'Malley, Nick; Carson, Vanda; McClymont, Kate (12 September 2009). "Oh brother! Medich family split". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  7. Nicholls, Sean; McClymont, Kate (24 November 2011). "Tiffanie and the minister: Macdonald accepted sexual services arranged by Medich, inquiry hears". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  8. "I couldn't see properly; Macdonald's two bot night with Tiffanie". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2 December 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  9. Klan, Anthony (10 September 2009). "Michael McGurk ran 28 failed companies". The Australian. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  10. Carson, Vanda; McClymont, Kate (6 September 2009). "McGurk died owing millions". The Age. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  11. Smith, Alexandra (29 September 2009). "Ron Medich denies murdering standover man Michael McGurk". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
  12. McClymont, Kate; Carson, Vanda; Besser, Linton; Welch, Dylan (7 September 2009). "How a quiet bush block turned into a goldmine". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
  13. Carson, Vanda (30 November 2009). "Medich had 'no motive' to murder McGurk". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
  14. Moran, Susannah; Klan, Anthony (5 September 2009). "Murdered man had many disputes". The Australian. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
  15. Davies, Lisa (11 November 2010). "Ron Medich 'obsessed' with Michael McGurk's death, police claim". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
  16. Ron Medich Properties Pty Ltd v Bentley-Smythe Pty Ltd (No 3) [2009] FCA 335 (9 April 2009), Federal Court (Australia).
  17. Medich v Bentley-Smythe Pty Ltd [2010] FCA 494 (19 May 2010), Federal Court (Australia).
  18. FitzSimons, Peter; Welch, Dylan (4 September 2009). "There were sirens, lots of them". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  19. Robinson, Georgina (4 September 2009). "Michael McGurk shot dead in front of son". The Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  20. Marks, Kathy (12 September 2009). "Murdered Scot's murky life casts a shadow over Sydney". The Herald. Scotland. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  21. Hohenboken, Angus (4 September 2009). "Wealthy father Michael McGurk shot dead in Sydney". The Australian. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  22. McClymont, Kate (14 October 2010). "McGurk shooting: police arrest four". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  23. "McGurk death asks questions of media". The Australian. 7 September 2009. Archived from the original on 12 August 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  24. "Politicians 'not implicated' in McGurk tape". ABC News. Australia. 7 September 2009. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  25. Hewett, Jennifer (8 September 2009). "Labor's underbelly". The Australian. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  26. "Terms of Reference" (PDF). Badgerys Creek land dealings and planning decisions. Legislative Council of New South Wales. 9 September 2009. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  27. "Hearings and transcripts". Badgerys Creek land dealings and planning decisions (Inquiry). Legislative Council of New South Wales. 26 July 2010. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  28. "Report" (PDF). Badgerys Creek land dealings and planning decisions (Inquiry). Legislative Council of New South Wales. 20 November 2009. Retrieved 26 December 2010.
  29. "Second Report" (PDF). Badgerys Creek land dealings and planning decisions (Inquiry). Legislative Council of New South Wales. 25 February 2010. Retrieved 26 December 2010.
  30. "Fact Sheet". Investigation into allegations of corruption made by or attributed to Michael McGurk. Independent Commission Against Corruption. 25 March 2010. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  31. "Michael McGurk murder accused Lucky Gattellari 'claustrophobic' in jail". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. 14 October 2010. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  32. Warne-Smith, Drew; Robinson, Natasha (14 October 2010). "Four charged in Michael McGurk killing". The Australian. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  33. McClymont, Kate; Gibson, Joel; Carson, Vanda (18 September 2010). "McGurk police seize guns from ex-boxer". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  34. "Ron Medich charged over McGurk shooting". ABC News. Australia. 27 October 2010. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  35. McClymont, Kate; Carson, Vanda; Jacobsen, Geesche (28 October 2010). "Police arrest 'mastermind' of the McGurk murder". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  36. Minus, Jodie (4 November 2010). "Ron Medich charged with murdering Michael McGurk". The Australian. Retrieved 26 December 2010.
  37. Fife-Yeomans, Janet; Campion, Vikki (30 October 2010). "Ron Medich's fall from grace is complete". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 26 December 2010.
  38. Davies, Lisa; Danks, Katherine (21 December 2010). "Murder-accused Ron Medich free to fight for his life, and wife". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  39. Bibby, Paul (1 November 2013). "Ron Medich pleads not guilty to murder of Michael McGurk". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  40. Begley, Patrick (2 February 2018). "'Best friends' no more: key witness testifies in Medich murder trial". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  41. McClymont, Kate; Cormack, Lucy (26 April 2018). "As Medich is jailed, the man who organised the hit demands to be released". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  42. Hoerr, Karl (7 February 2017). "'Former NSW cop Roger Rogerson recruited to extort money from property developer, jury told". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  43. Begley, Patrick (7 February 2017). "Roger Rogerson part of $25 million plot to extort Ron Medich, court told". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  44. McClymont, Kate (10 May 2013). "Former boxing champ Lucky Gattellari sentenced over role in McGurk killing". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  45. Bibby, Paul (30 April 2014). "Christopher Estephan jailed for five years over McGurk murder". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  46. McClymont, Kate (10 August 2013). "From life of affluence to a prison cell over McGurk murder". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  47. MacMillan, Jade (30 January 2018). "Property developer Ron Medich faces second trial over murder of ex-business partner". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  48. Ford, Mazoe (23 April 2018). "Ron Medich guilty of ordering execution-style murder of former associate". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  49. Whitbourn, Michaela (23 April 2018). "Ron Medich shell-shocked, McGurk family praise guilty verdict". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  50. McClymont, Kate (23 April 2018). "Guilty of murdering Michael McGurk, Ron Medich likely to die in jail". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  51. Thompson, Angus (27 April 2018). "Medich's sentencing hearing for McGurk murder due to be heard in May". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  52. Cockburn, Paige (31 May 2018). "Ron Medich should get life sentence for Michael McGurk murder, prosecution says". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  53. Mitchell, Georgina (31 May 2018). "Crown calls for life imprisonment for killer Ron Medich". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  54. Cuneo, Clemintine (29 October 2010). "Wounded wife of Ron Medich slams gossip and rumour". Perth Now. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  55. Taylor, Andrew (20 November 2010). "Mrs Medich gets the big brush-off". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  56. Hornery, Andrew (7 April 2017). "PS Odetta". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  57. Kontos, Eric (3 February 2007). "Ron Medich Denham Court mansion fetches record price". South West Voice. Retrieved 23 April 2018.

Further reading
  • McClymont, Kate; Carson, Vanda (2019), Dead man walking: the murky world of Michael McGurk and Ron Medich, Vintage Books Australia, ISBN 978-0-14-379524-7
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