Gp Security Boss Admits Kickbacks

The Age

Thursday September 7, 2006

JAMIE BERRY

A FORMER police officer in charge of security for the Australian Grand Prix has admitted receiving almost $300,000 in illegal kickbacks.

Mario Joseph Siketa, who became a sergeant in a distinguished 20-year career with Victoria Police before branching out into private security, pleaded guilty to five charges of receiving secret commissions.

The County Court was told yesterday that Siketa, the national security and loss prevention manager for Wilson Security, had received cash and a power-ski.

Prosecutor Robert Johnston said the employee of a labour hire firm offered Siketa a deal in which he received $1 for every hour of work he invoiced them from 2001 to 2004.

Siketa used a company registered in his daughter's name to hide the kickbacks, Mr Johnston said.

"He recruits his daughter into the scheme . . . some would say that's shameful conduct," he said.The court heard Siketa was paid $75,000 in 2001 by Wilson Security, which had doubled his salary by 2004.

Asked by Judge Michael Higgins what Siketa's motivation was, his lawyer, Duncan Allen, SC, replied: "A little bit of extra money.

"As a result of his misconduct, not only him but his family will end up penniless after 26 years of marriage and much hard work."

Mr Allen said the illegal money "just went" and Siketa "had nothing to show for it".

Serving police yesterday gave character evidence. Chief Superintendent Peter McDonald said Siketa was energetic and a hard-working member of the force.

Sergeant Tony Juric said Siketa, a board member of the Melbourne Knights in the now defunct National Soccer League, was highly regarded in the Croatian community.

Siketa, 45, of Geelong, will be sentenced next week. His bail was extended.