Labor Lawyer sends letters threatening HBCF members

Dear all,

Just when you think the local Labor (Matheson) faction has reached its lowest low, they do something to sink further into the depths of the Western Suburbs sewerage system. MaryAnn Lindsay's Solicitor, John Yianoulatos ("Johnny Y" for short), sent various HBCF committee members letters this week, threatening to seek costs from us personally for MaryAnn Lindsay's legal defence - if she 'is successful'.

We should be at least grateful the letter didn't contain a bullet, like the letters sent by Labor Faction members in another Western Suburbs branch to party opponents.

So who the hell is "Johnny Y"? Glad you asked.

Johnny Y is the legal officer for the Health Services Union - the union MaryAnn Lindsay works for. He's in the same labor faction as disgraced former councillor Brad Matheson who was forced to resign in disgrace from Hobsons Bay Council, the Municipal Association of Victoria and Australian Local Government Association last year.

Johnny Y's wife (Vicki) works in Premier Steve Bracks' private office, so it's a very cosy happy Labor family.

Do you think they were expecting MaryAnn to pay for her defence? Of course not! They did it because they are family, and they need to scratch eachother's backs. Besides, if you can't defend your stooge, who can you defend? (vtic)

The following is the letter one of us received from Johnny Y, but it is indicative of the other ones received by HBCF committee members.

Note the professional email address and office; you've got to love a laywer who uses a hotmail account and backyard Coburg office for business. Even the address for the Magistrates' Court is wrong (I hope he finds it).