NSW: Multiplex working with police to catch extortionist

AAP General News (Australia)
04-07-2005
NSW: Multiplex working with police to catch extortionist

SYDNEY, April 7 AAP - Australian construction giant Multiplex says it is helping NSW
police to catch an extortionist who has again threatened to kill crane drivers if $50
million is not handed over.

Multiplex was targeted in early February when an extortionist threatened to shoot a
crane driver at one of its sites somewhere in the world unless the company handed over
$50 million.

A second threatening letter, received by union officials last month, demanded Multiplex
make the payment by April 18 or a crane driver at a site in Australia or Britain would
be shot.

Multiplex said today it was concerned over the new threat.

"Our first priority remains the safety and wellbeing of our workforce and we continue
to work closely with police, employees and the unions to resolve the situation," it said
in a statement.

"All matters relating to extortion letters sent to Multiplex and the CFMEU remain the
subject of ongoing police investigation."

The company said police were looking at the letters sent to several union officials last month.

The Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union said yesterday extortionists had
sent letters to the union's offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane with a demand for
money.

Union members are meeting today and tomorrow to decide whether to keep working.

Multiplex said police had told it not to comment further.

Multiplex has operations in the UK, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates, as well
as in Australia.

Among its highest-profile projects is the redevelopment of London's Wembley Stadium.

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KEYWORD: MULTIPLEX DAYLEAD

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