Mick Gatto Arrested in Construction Corruption Probe, June 03

Victoria Police arrested underworld figure Mick Gatto and a woman on June 03 at a Mount Martha property during an investigation into alleged financial offences in the construction sector. Detectives from Taskforce Hawk, a unit dedicated to investigating criminal behaviour in building, executed the warrant. Both were released without charge pending further enquiries. The arrest marks an escalation in police action against alleged corruption linked to major infrastructure projects.

How the arrest unfolded

Detectives from Taskforce Hawk executed a search warrant at a property in Mount Martha on the Mornington Peninsula on Wednesday morning. Police arrested a 70-year-old man identified as Gatto and a 72-year-old woman. Both were interviewed and released pending further enquiries. No charges have been laid. Police seized electronic devices, a baton, and a knife from the property.

What police allege about Gatto’s role

In a report prepared for a Queensland inquiry into the CFMEU published in February, lawyer Geoffrey Watson SC alleged Gatto held a “malignant influence” on the union for decades. Watson’s report stated Gatto received millions of dollars in retainers from builders to prevent work site shutdowns. The report described these payments as a “kind of extortion” funded by taxpayers. Gatto describes himself as a construction industry “mediator and arbitrator” who solves disputes between builders and workers.

Taskforce Hawk’s broader strategy

Taskforce Hawk was established to investigate alleged criminal activity in Victoria’s construction sector. The unit uses investigations into relatively minor offences to target construction industry players suspected of involvement in more serious conduct. Police raided the homes of Gatto and close associate Nic Maric, a Big Build subcontractor, five days apart. The raids reflect a shift toward more aggressive detection and deterrence in the building sector.

Gatto’s legal history

Gatto was acquitted of murdering suspected hitman Andrew Veniamin in 2004 after claiming self-defence. In 2024, he faced charges of extortion and blackmail related to threats against restaurateur Jamal Mohammad over two decades. Prosecutors withdrew those charges in October 2024. Gatto has denied all allegations and told Melbourne radio station 3AW he was “not above the law” and had no ties to criminal gangs.

Final Thoughts

Gatto’s arrest signals Victoria Police’s intensified focus on corruption in construction. The investigation remains ongoing with no charges filed yet, leaving the full scope of allegations unclear.

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