Tuesday, February 18, 2003

Drug dealer? What a joke, says a stunned Rogerson



Laughing matter ... Roger  , left, and Graham "Abo" 
Henry talk to the media in Hyde Park yesterday. Photo: Rick Stevens

By Neil Mercer


February 18 2003


Laughing matter ... Roger Rogerson, left, and Graham "Abo" Henry talk to the media in Hyde Park yesterday. Photo: Rick Stevens

Former police officer Roger Rogerson is adamant - he is not involved in drug dealing and he is sick of people suggesting he is.

Mr Rogerson vented his spleen yesterday at the new Australian Crime Commission, saying it was apparently investigating him and some other high-profile Sydney identities.

At a press conference in Hyde Park, he said he had been stunned three weeks ago to learn of an allegation that he, Graham "Abo" Henry, Tom Domican and Tony Vincent had conspired to carry out a "massive heroin dealing operation" at a meeting at the Market Street strip club Little Jenny's.

"It's a complete joke," Mr Rogerson said.

Mr Henry said: "I don't know why they're picking on us. We're the last of the Mohicans."

Mr Rogerson, who was jailed in the 1990s for conspiring to pervert the course of justice, said he had instructed his solicitor to sue the commission in the Supreme Court.

"It mightn't be defamation, it might be [for] nervous strain or nervous stress," he said.

He believed the commission was also looking into allegations that he had connections to outlaw motorcycle gangs. "I have no connections with bikies at all. I have had enough of this bullshit."

Asked what he was doing these days he replied he wasn't doing much at all, adding: "I am positive I am not a heroin dealer."

He had been to Little Jenny's only four times. "Once was on Abo's 50th birthday ... It was a great night."

Mr Henry, who was released from jail in 1997 after serving six years for stabbing a police officer,said he had been under constant surveillance. "It drives me insane," he said.

He had not seen Tom Domican for years and was not involved in any criminality.

Mr Domican said the allegations against him were baseless. He had no connections with Mr Henry and did not mix with Mr Rogerson or Mr Vincent, who has also denied any wrongdoing.

The solicitor acting for Mr Rogerson and Mr Henry, Paul Kenny, accused the commission of "bully boy tactics" and said it had been suggested to him that Mr Rogerson "roll over" because he was about to get "a number of life sentences".

A commission spokesman said it was the policy neither to confirm nor deny operational matters.

Read more http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/02/17/1045330537219.html