A senior Victorian detective has been charged over leaked photos of former AFL premiership player and coach Dani Laidley in police custody in May.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Charges were laid after a seven-month internal professional services command investigation over the photos, which showed Ms Laidley after her arrest for stalking and drug possession.
A detective leading senior constable was charged with unauthorised access of police information, four charges of unauthorised disclosure of police information and one of misconduct in public office.
The officer, named by Nine as Murray Gentner, is currently suspended and is due to face court on March 30.
Det Gentner was the officer who tried and failed to get Bourke St attacker James Gargasoulas to surrender in the lead up to his deadly massacre.
Three other people, including two police officers and a police custody officer are still suspended and may face charges.
Another 39 officers and seven public servants will face internal disciplinary action.
Victoria Police said in a statement that investigations were continuing and had taken longer than expected because of the number of police employees who received or forwarded the images, and those who shared social media posts.
One of the main challenges investigators have faced is determining who received or forwarded the photos taken at the station, versus those who were sent links once they appeared on social media.
No action will be taken against 224 people who shared photos after they were leaked online.
The images, which included Ms Laidley's mug shot and another of her sitting in an interview room wearing a dress and a blonde wig, were shared amongst officers and on social media.
Ms Laidley avoided conviction on the stalking and drug possession charges after police recommended her to the court's diversion program for first time and low level offenders.
She was required to write a letter of thanks to police for the recommendation as part of the conditions.
Police Minister Lisa Neville previously described the photo leak as an "idiotic thing to do".
Ms Laidley's barrister Phil Dunn said the former footballer and her family were devastated by the release of the photos.
Australian Associated Press
