Maverick lawyer who represents bikies and strippers is accused of laundering clients’ dirty cash through his Gold Coast legal firm – as his glamorous girlfriend is hit with drug charges
- Lawyer Campbell MacCallum hit with money laundering, fraud and drug charges
- His firm MMA Lawyers is being investigated by Crime & Corruption Commission
- Mr MacCallum is known for his high profile clients and ‘gangsta’ sense of style
A heavily-tattooed lawyer who represents strippers, bikies and rugby league players has been hit with criminal charges by the Crime and Corruption Commission.
Gold Coast solicitor Campbell MacCallum was charged with three counts of money laundering, two counts of fraud and a string of drug offences after a 16-month investigation by the Queensland crime watchdog.
Detectives from CCC’s Operation Jackal charged the 46-year-old on Wednesday as part of an inquiry into trust accounts at his legal firm MMA Lawyers.
‘It will be alleged the money laundering involved proceeds of serious criminal offences paid by clients for legal services undertaken by the firm,’ the CCC said in a statement.
Campbell MacCallum (pictured) has been hit with money laundering, fraud and drug charges
‘It will be further alleged the fraud offences were committed against Legal Aid Queensland.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr MacCallum’s office for comment.
‘In my view, any alleged criminal offending by individuals associated with the legal profession is very serious,’ CCC Chairperson Alan MacSporran QC said.
‘Legal Aid Queensland helps Queenslanders engage with the legal system. Any fraud on Legal Aid ultimately impacts on tax payers and those people who are financially disadvantaged that require access to their services.’
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Mr MacCallum’s Burleigh Heads home was raided in July as part of the CCC investigation, leading both him and his partner Nicole Anne Crisp to be charged with drug supply and possession offences.
The pair will appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on January 13.
Mr MacCallum and his partner Nicole Anne Crisp (pictured together) have both been charged with drug supply and possession
The pair (pictured together) were charged after Mr MacCallum’s Burleigh Heads home was raided in July as part of the CCC investigation
The maverick lawyer has made headlines in recent times representing clients including bikies, disgraced footballers and strippers.
He defended stripper Tori Uila Darrington in November, who is accused of cutting her friend in the wrist with broken glass because she took a photo of her sitting on a bed.
In 2015, it was Mr MacCallum who represented four of the five Gold Coast Titans players caught up in the cocaine ring scandal – including Greg Bird and and Dave Taylor.
He also spoke up about the ‘draconian’ anti-bikie legislation that was brought in during 2013.
‘We’re in a situation where there is a lot of power given to the police, especially the prosecutors,’ Mr MacCallum told reporters in 2014 after his client’s bail application was adjourned following allegations by police that his client was a Bandido.
‘Not just so-called bikies are getting caught up in this. It’s also citizens charged with normal offences who are getting caught up in this draconian legislation.’
The defence lawyer has also represented Sam Barnett, the son of Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett, and a handful of other high-profile ex-sportsmen.
Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting any of the clients named have any involvement in the CCC allegations.
Mr MacCallum (pictured with Harley Barbaro) is known for his high profile clients and ‘gangsta’ sense of style
Mr MacCallum posted a light-hearted pandemic isolation social media photo last month
Mr MacCallum, a gym junkie, is well known on the sunshine strip for his flashy jewellery, eclectic office and sometimes even wearing a purple suit to court.
Mr MacCallum said he had been fascinated by crime since he was very young and becoming a defence lawyer was a way of stimulating his interest.
He has become known on the Gold Coast for his ‘gangster chic’ office with Versace rugs and 2Pac and Scarface posters on the wall.
‘I deck my office out how ever I want to without any regard to anyone else’s opinion, he said.
Mr MacCallum said his clients can ‘relate’ to his interests, which include gangster rap music, but know he is a professional person.
Only occasionally has his fashion sense made things complicated at court – such as when large diamond earrings he used to wear upset a magistrate.
‘I’ve never wanted to conform to how people should or shouldn’t look, he said. ‘I just want to do my own thing’.
Mr MacCallum said he likes to do his own thing and sometimes wears a purple suit to court
