Former Detective Sergeant Charged with Blackmail and Bribery
Wayne Dean, 66, a former detective sergeant with Victoria Police, has been charged with blackmail and bribery following an investigation by the state's anti-corruption watchdog. Dean appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court today, alongside co-accused travel agent Cheng Christine Zhang, Basilios Meletsis, and Alex Dimopoulos. All four were granted bail and are scheduled to return to court on April 23.
Court documents detail 35 charges against Dean stemming from the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) investigation.
Key Allegations
Bribery and Favors from Travel Agent
Dean allegedly received return flights to Thailand on two occasions, in January and August 2019, and one night's accommodation at Sandpiper Hotel Apollo Bay from Cheng Christine Zhang. These benefits were reportedly provided to show favor to her.
Misuse of Police Position in Civil Disputes
Dean is accused of using his position in Victoria Police to access police powers, premises, and resources. This was allegedly done under the false pretense of a criminal investigation, with the true purpose being to assist Zhang in a civil dispute.
He is accused of using his position in Victoria Police to access police powers, premises, and resources, allegedly under the false pretense of a criminal investigation, but with the true purpose of assisting Zhang in a civil dispute.
One specific charge states that Dean questioned an individual while claiming to investigate theft, when in fact he was helping Zhang, and subsequently supplied her with the recorded interview.
Further Inducements for Violating Duty
Dean allegedly received two nights' accommodation at Park Hyatt Hotel in Melbourne from Alex Dimopoulos in March 2019, as an inducement for violating official duty. He also reportedly received two nights' accommodation at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney, driver services, a phone, and cash from Dimopoulos in July 2019.
Other Misconduct Charges
Dean faces additional allegations, including providing false information to the magistrates' court, misusing powers by arresting someone over a civil debt, and in 2022, obtaining burglary evidence he was not investigating and providing it to associates. He is further accused of misusing his position to obtain and provide sensitive information to associates, and attending a pharmacy under false claims of investigating a fraud complaint.
Dean previously told the commission in May 2022 hearings that he received ad-hoc cash payments, around $200, from Basilios Meletsis, but denied being paid for specific tasks.