TAS: Top cop's criminal hearing begins today
24 Mar 2009 3:00
Tasmania's suspended police chief faces court today .. charged with disclosing official secrets about a whistleblower's complaint to a premier and a police minister.
JACK JOHNSTON faces two charges of disclosing official secrets to former premier PAUL LENNON and current Police Minister JIM COX.
It's alleged he passed politically sensitive secrets about the progress of a whistleblower's complaint to Mr LENNON and Mr COX last April .. a month after his appointment by the government.
Fifty-eight-year-old JOHNSTON has pleaded NOT guilty to the charges .. and was bailed after his initial court appearance .. and is due to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court today for a preliminary hearing.
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