Unraveling the Extortion Scandal: A High-Profile Bikie's Alleged Crimes
In a dramatic turn of events, a prominent figure in the Bandido bikie gang and a former union official has been charged with extortion, sparking a wave of controversy and raising questions about organized crime's infiltration of major government projects.
The story unfolds with the arrest of Joel Leavitt, a well-known bikie and ex-CFMEU representative, by detectives from Taskforce Hawk, Echo, and the Viper squad. Leavitt's arrest is a significant milestone in the fight against corruption, coming just ten months after Taskforce Hawk was established in response to revelations about the Victorian Labor government's failure to tackle organized crime and union corruption.
This masthead previously exposed Leavitt's powerful role as a CFMEU health and safety official on the $530 million Hurstbridge Rail Line Upgrade and other projects. The allegations against Leavitt gained momentum after the release of a landmark report by lawyer Geoffrey Watson, which claimed that CFMEU's lawless behavior had cost taxpayers a staggering $15 billion, and the state government was too afraid to intervene.
Watson's report paints a damning picture of Leavitt, describing him as "a brutal criminal with a bad criminal record" and a patched bikie. It reveals that Leavitt joined the union in 2017 as a "Young Activist" and was close to former top official Joe Myles. Leavitt's appointment as a health and safety representative in 2019, without an election, raised eyebrows, and Watson found that Leavitt's employment package included a salary of over $200,000 and a government-funded car.
Leavitt's dual role as a union official and bikie gang member came under scrutiny when he was shot at the Rebels bikie clubhouse last year. This incident sparked an ongoing investigation by the Echo taskforce, Operation Spitfire, into suspected rivalry between outlaw motorcycle gangs. Leavitt used the rail line upgrade vehicle, assigned for worker safety checks, to drive himself to the hospital after being shot, and the car was later seized for forensic testing.
Victoria Police confirmed the arrest of three men as part of an investigation into blackmail. The 32-year-old Eltham man, a former senior CFMEU official and current patched member of the Bandidos, was charged with blackmail and failing to provide a PIN number. Another 32-year-old man from Watsonia, also a patched Bandido member, was charged with failing to comply with a direction to assist, while a 55-year-old man from Mernda was released.
The investigation revolves around allegations of blackmail at a Brooklyn property on January 19, 2026, where a demand was made for the victim to pay $663,000. This operation is a significant breakthrough, as Leavitt's influence extends across the outlaw bikie world and the union, making him a key figure in the Big Build.
The arrests come at a time when the Victorian government is under intense scrutiny following Watson's report, which linked intimidation and graft on construction sites to the state's $100 billion Big Build program. This masthead's revelation of a fresh round of firebombings, including attacks on a building site in Southbank and a construction executive's home, further highlights the ongoing violence and fear in the industry.
Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has intensified her attacks on the Labor government, calling for a royal commission into the CFMEU in Victoria. Wilson described the situation as "organized crime" and "bikies" at its core, with criminals running the CFMEU. She expressed her concern for the hardworking people on these sites, but criticized the government for allowing the criminal element to thrive.
But here's where it gets controversial... What are your thoughts on the alleged involvement of bikie gangs and union officials in extortion and corruption? Do you think a royal commission is necessary to address these issues? Share your opinions in the comments below and let's spark a discussion!
