Bandidos biker sues lawyer Andrew Fraser over book
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From: Sunday Herald Sun
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November 13, 2011
Andrew Fraser. Picture: Tony Gough Source: HWT Image Library
A BIKIE is suing disgraced Melbourne lawyer Andrew Fraser for defamation allegedly published in a bestseller about corrupt cops.
Bandidos motorcycle gang member Robert (Kim) Sloan claims in court documents his "reputation and feelings have been seriously injured" by allegations in the book, Snouts in the Trough.
In a writ lodged in the County Court this week Mr Sloan's lawyers said the author had defamed the bikie through allegations that he made a death threat in front of a bent policeman's relatives.
The lawyers said the allegations were understood to mean that Mr Sloan was a "violent person" and a "menacing and malicious person".
It said Mr Sloan had suffered because of the alleged defamation and would continue to suffer loss and damage.
Mr Sloan, who said he had been told by his lawyers not to comment, is also suing the publisher, Hardie Grant Books, and wants damages with interest. Snouts in the Trough is about a corrupt former detective sergeant.
Fraser was a well-known criminal defence lawyer in Melbourne until that detective led police raids in September, 1999 and uncovered Fraser's secret cocaine habit and dealings.
Fraser had represented gangland figures such as Lewis and Jason Moran, as well as other high-profile figures, including Jimmy Krakouer.
Fraser was jailed in 2001 for seven years for importing 5.5kg of cocaine, worth about $2.7 million, and was released in 2006.
The publisher was unavailable for comment and Fraser could not be contacted.
