Burke, Grill walk free as case thrown outAll corruption charges against the former WA premier Brian Burke, former Labor minister Julian Grill and a former senior public servant have been thrown out in the Supreme Court in Perth.
Lobbyists Brian Burke and Julian Grill were accused of corruptly procuring information from Nathan Hondros while he worked as chief of staff for the then fisheries minister Jon Ford.
They allegedly asked Mr Hondros in 2006 to provide them with a confidential document that benefited one of their clients.
Mr Burke and Mr Grill were working as lobbyists for a pearling company at the time.
Last week the men's lawyers made applications to Justice Michael Murray that the case be dismissed.
In a ruling in the Supreme Court this morning, Justice Murray dismissed all four charges against the men, saying there was not enough evidence to establish beyond reasonable doubt that any of them had acted corruptly.
The courtroom was packed with supporters and there was an audible gasp when the judge handed down his decision.
Mr Burke cried as the judge threw out the case.
"This has cost me and my family hundreds of thousands of dollars, great stress and great anguish."
Speaking outside the court, all three men renewed their calls for a public inquiry into the Corruption and Crime Commission which ran the investigation leading to the court case.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/10/2894928.htm 
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