Milton Orkopoulos

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Milton Orkopoulos
Born 22 July 1957
Conviction(s) Child Sex Offences
Drug Offences
Penalty 13 years 9 months (eligible for parole after 9 year 3 months)
Status Incarcerated
Occupation Former Politician

Milton Orkopoulos (born 22 July 1957) is a former Australian Labor Party politician, and convicted criminal. In November 2006, New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma sacked him as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Minister Assisting the Premier on Citizenship after he was charged with child sex and other offences. The following week, he resigned as MP for the state electorate of Swansea. On March 14, 2008 Orkopoulos was convicted on charges relating child sex offences and the supply of drugs. On 21st May, 2008 he was sentenced to 13 years jail.

Contents

History

Early life

Orkopoulos briefly trained as a nurse before studying economics at the University of Newcastle. He went on to work for BHP and as an electorate officer for MPs Peter Morris, Don Bowman and Jill Hall. He married and had three children.

Political career

From 1995 until 1999, Orkopoulos represented Labor on Lake Macquarie City Council. In March 1999, he was elected to represent Swansea in the Legislative Assembly for Labor, and joined the Socialist Left faction. In August 2005 he was promoted to the front bench, serving in the generally low-profile portfolios of Aboriginal Affairs and Citizenship.

Arrest and conviction

On November 5, 2006, Police Minister John Watkins was informed by police commissioner Ken Moroney that Orkopoulos was about to be charged with child sex offences. Moroney later explained that the Orkopolous case "is an issue that would be discussed in the normal course of events between us."[1] The call, which resulted in the Premier's office knowing that the arrest of a senior colleague was imminent, raised questions as to the political independence of the New South Wales Police. Legal commentator Richard Ackland wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald that "I can't think of a solid reason why third parties should be told by the police that they are about to nab someone important."[2]

On November 7, 2006 Orkopoulos was arrested and charged with 30 offences including involvement in child prostitution, sexual assault and supplying illegal drugs.[3][4]

He was immediately sacked by Premier Morris Iemma as both a minister and member of the parliamentary Labor Party. Orkopoulos denied the charges but indicated that he would not contest his Swansea electorate at the 2007 state election. He resigned from Parliament on November 13, 2006[5][6] and reportedly attempted suicide the next day.[7]

The Government also passed legislation to suspend or remove Parliamentary pension entitlements for any Member who resigns when charged with serious crimes prior to the resolution of charges.[8] The provisions of the legislation permitted its retrospective application to Orkopoulos.[9]

Further charges were laid against Orkopoulos on 16 April, 2007.[10] On March 14, 2008 he was found guilty of 28 offences relating to sexual assault of a minor, indecent assault and supplying heroin and cannabis.[11] He has been charged with a minimum of 9 years and 3 months in jail, with a maximum jail term of 13 years and 11 months.[12]


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References

  1. ^ Clennell, Andrew. "Briefing was appropriate: Moroney", The Sydney Morning Herald, 10 November, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-11-14. 
  2. ^ Ackland, Richard. "Premier cast as both goose and gander", Sydney Morning Herald, 10 November, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-11-14. 
  3. ^ "MP 'bought teen sex using public funds'", The Australian, 8 November 2006. Retrieved on 2006-11-14. 
  4. ^ "Teen sex on the taxpayers", Sydney Morning Herald, 8 November 2006. Retrieved on 2006-11-14. 
  5. ^ Frew, Wendy. "Orkopoulos quits parliament", The Sydney Morning Herald, 11 November 2006. Retrieved on 2006-11-14. 
  6. ^ "Milton Orkopoulos resigns", News.com.au; AAP, 11 November 2006. Retrieved on 2006-11-14. 
  7. ^ "Family holds vigil at Orkopoulos's bedside", Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 14 November 2006. Retrieved on 2006-11-14. 
  8. ^ "Sex-case politician may lose his pension", Sydney Morning Herald, 14 November, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-11-14. 
  9. ^ Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Amendment (Criminal Charges and Convictions) Act 2006, No 93. Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, Parliament of New South Wales (November 2006). Retrieved on 2008-03-14.
  10. ^ "MP faces more child sex charges", The Age, 16 April 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-11. 
  11. ^ "Orkopoulos found guilty", Sydney Morning Herald, 14 March, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-03-14. 
  12. ^ Keene, Neil. "Milton Orkopoulos sentenced", Daily Telegraph, The, May 21, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-05-23. 
Persondata
NAME Orkopoulos, Milton
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION Australian politician
DATE OF BIRTH 22 July 1957
PLACE OF BIRTH
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH
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