Right-hand man of murderer Ron Medich pleads for early release

Ron Medich’s former right hand has penned an emotional letter pleading for an early release from jail. 

Fortunato ‘Lucky’ Gattellari wrote the letter to the State Parole Authority, begging them to let him go saying he will follow all his obligations. 

His letter read: ‘Your honour let me go home to be with my family, I am no danger or thret [sic] to anyone and I will live up to all my obligations,’ Nine News reported. 

His letter read: ‘Your honour let me go home to be with my family, I am no danger or thret [sic] to anyone and I will live up to all my obligations’

However, his plea fell on deaf ears as the Commissioner decided to leave Gattellari behind bars due to alleged extortion.  

Gattellari, who’s already served seven-and-a-half years for being an accessory before the murder of Michael McGurk in 2009, received a 60 per cent discount after agreeing to give evidence against his former ‘big boss’, Medich. 

He reminded the panel today he had also turned against co-accused Haissam Safetli and agreed to testify at various ICAC hearings against Medich and disgraced Labor MP Ian Macdonald at ‘great personal cost’, Nine News reported.

‘I went to hell and back, spending months on the stand for the Crown and on cross examination. Your honour in these cases I was portrayed by the Crown as a honest, credible and reliable witness,’ he told the court through his letter. 

His lawyer Peter Godkin suggested Corrective Services were coming up with reasons not to release him, and his client will fight for his release.  

Medich will face a hearing later in the week. 

His former boss Ron Medich (pictured) will face a hearing later in the week