‘Sir Joh told of corruption’

Press, 8 March 1988, Page 8

‘Sir Joh told of corruption’

NZPA-AAP Brisbane The former Queensland Premier,’ Sir Joh BjelkePetersen, was told about allegations of police corruption at a meeting in a City hotel room in July, 1978, the Fitzgerald Inquiry was told yesterday.

A retired Licensing Branch inspector, William Alex Jeppeson, said he took tape recordings of allegations made by bookmakers to the meeting at Lennons Hotel. I

He said others at the meeting were the then Police Minister, Ron Carnm, the then Maritime Services Minister, John Goleby, and a police constable, Brian Marlin.

He and Constable Marlin told Sir Joh and the Ministers of the allegations made by the bookmakers.

Mr Jeppeson said he had alleged three police officers were corrupt. He said the Premier was told that one police-

man, Tony Murphy, was collecting $lO,OOO from each stating-price bookmaker to finance the trial of Jack Reginald Herbert.

The trial involved allegations of bribery against Herbert.

“I told the Premier that Mr Murphy was the one, this man had collected ten grand a time for the trial from SP bookmakers. “He seemed to show some concern and he asked if I would stay at the Licensing Branch for

some months.” Mr Jeppeson was head of the Branch which policed SP betting, illegal gaming and prostitution. He said Mr Camm “did not seem to be interested in what I was placing before him." “I realised I was placing myself in jeopardy.” Mr Jeppeson said he was told by an SP bookmaker that a function was organised by other bookmakers to raise money for Jack Herbert’s trial.