AFTER first courting the media, underworld figure Mick Gatto is now courting former Opes Prime clients and has launched a website for victims of the stockbroker's collapse.
It's all part of the Gatto master plan to recoup funds for stung clients.
The official line from Gatto and his consortium is that the former Carlton Crew member is championing the cause of smaller clients, and wants to gather together as many people as he can to mount a class action — Gatto-style — to "extract" a return.
But many have doubts about just what Gatto can achieve during his visit to Singapore — certainly those involved in officially winding up Opes Prime are baffled.
"The first I'd heard (of Gatto's involvement) was when I read The Age this morning," administrator John Lindholm told a news conference.
Pressed further on what effect Gatto's sudden involvement might have on the outcome of the administration, Lindholm said: "I don't believe it'll have any effect on the work we have to do … the assets are owned by the companies. We have the legal remedies to recover (any) assets that are there."
Asked how problematic the administration was proving, Lindholm said: "Recovering $128 million from six individual (groups) was always going to be problematic."
The arrival of Gatto and his crew on the scene may be just another problem.
Later in the day, Mallesons lawyer Tony Troiani, who is working with Ferrier Hodgson, chimed in with: "For the record, Mr Gatto is not acting as agent for the administrator."
That drew chuckles.
Word is that part of the Gatto agenda may have less to do with extracting money and shares from Singapore, and more to do with delivering a message — with at least one man in the city anxious about the arrival of Gatto and his escort, John Khoury, and the words they bring.
But, even before Gatto had touched down in Singapore, the next phase in his apparent transformation into corporate debt collector and media star had begun: the launching of the internet-based Opes Crime Fund.
On the Gatto-run website www.opescrimefund.com.au former Opes Prime account holders are asked to register their details, including their name and telephone number.
An associate of Gatto will then call them back.
At the website former clients of the fallen company are even asked to provide their Opes Prime account number, the estimated amount they have lost amid the collapse and whether they are willing to join a special "fighting fund" that Gatto is organising.
From the information provided, Gatto plans to create a "contact sheet" of victims. He will then go about the business of "extracting" money on their behalf.
It's all part of the Gatto plan to use his "unique negotiating skills" to recoup lost money.
"The proof is in the pudding with me," Gatto told Full Disclosure before flying out. Many are now waiting to see.
fact-finding mission, many were puzzled to see the pair sporting matching T-shirts.
Both wore pale-green shirts with the letter "A" emblazoned on the chest, and the word "life" written on the back.
Ever curious, Full Disclosure tracked down the source of the matching garments, but there was no hidden message directed towards the men waiting anxiously in Singapore for the arrival of the pair.
"Both Mick and John are what you'd call large men," said one business associate — who in this instance said that he most certainly did not want to be named. Continued…
