04:33 EDT, 26 May 2021
The trial of a former 60 Minutes producer accused of blackmailing alleged tax scammers for $5million has ended in a hung jury.
Veteran Sydney journalist Stephen Barrett was discharged by the NSW Supreme court after the jury failed to reach a verdict.
The 63-year-old pleaded not guilty to blackmailing the alleged Plutus fraudsters Adam Cranston, Jason Onley and Dev Menon by using his media status to threaten the trio.
During the high-profile trial, Australian TV icon and gold Loggie winner Ray Martin was called upon as a character witness for Mr Barrett.
Veteran Sydney journalist Stephen Barrett (pictured) was discharged by the NSW Supreme court after the jury failed to reach a verdict
A dishonest and greedy witness who was blackmailing millions of dollars from alleged tax fraudsters caught an investigative journalist hook, line and sinker in his plan, a jury has heard.
Veteran Australian Reporter Testifies In Blackmail Trial
Veteran Australian Reporter Testifies In Blackmail Trial
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SYDNEY, Australia When a veteran investigative journalist approached another television reporter with information about a mega tax fraud story that was already breaking his “eyes lit up,” a jury has heard.
“Beauty,” A Current affairs reporter Brady Halls said, giving evidence in the New South Wales Supreme Court on April 28 about one encounter he had with Stephen Barrett in his newsroom in May 2017.
Barrett, 63, has pleaded not guilty of acting in a joint criminal enterprise to blackmail the masterminds of an alleged AUD 105 million ($81.72 million) tax fraud scheme.
Crime by Natalie OâBrien
Premium Content  Veteran TV journalist Steve Barrett was used as a tactic to put pressure on an alleged group of payroll fraudsters ripping off the ATO, to pay an initial $5 million blackmail demand and then a subsequent $20 million demand, a court has been told. Telephone intercept calls between Mr Barrett, who has pleaded not guilty to blackmail, and his alleged co-conspirator Daniel Hausman reveal Hausman telling Mr Barrett there have been developments since a meeting with a group and a final poke was needed. Veteran crime reporter Steve Barrett arrives at court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper.
Crime by Natalie OâBrien
Premium Content  Veteran TV journalist Steve Barrett was used as a tactic to put pressure on an alleged group of payroll fraudsters ripping off the ATO, to pay an initial $5 million blackmail demand and then a subsequent $20 million demand, a court has been told. Telephone intercept calls between Mr Barrett, who has pleaded not guilty to blackmail, and his alleged co-conspirator Daniel Hausman reveal Hausman telling Mr Barrett there have been developments since a meeting with a group and a final poke was needed. Veteran crime reporter Steve Barrett arrives at court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper.