'Unprecedented' jury misconduct forces retrial

In a landmark case, a jury's misconduct during a six-month trial involving an alleged $10 million tax fraud has led to the accused being granted a retrial. Construction boss George Alex and four others were initially found guilty in 2024, but the jury's behavior has now been found to be deeply irregular, forcing a retrial.

The misconduct was so severe that it constituted a "miscarriage of justice," according to the NSW Supreme Court. Jurors allegedly discussed bribes and drug trading, shared highly prejudicial information from online media articles about the accused, and even made accusations about other jurors being approached and pressured to return not guilty verdicts. The foreman, in particular, was found to have conducted numerous illegal internet searches on the accused men and shared information with fellow jurors.

The foreman's behavior was so egregious that he was even seen drinking after court with other jurors. He also made allegations about fellow jurors being approached and pressured to return not guilty verdicts. Another juror was revealed to have a prior relationship with one of the defence solicitors, while another was found to be exchanging messages about drug supply with the foreman.

The trial judge initially dismissed the foreman and the juror who exchanged messages about drug supply, but the appeal court found the trial judge's decision to continue with the trial after these revelations to be incorrect. The judges emphasized that no criticism was intended for the trial judge, but the jury's misconduct fundamentally compromised the trial's fairness.

All five accused men were granted bail in the second half of 2025 and will reappear for arraignment on September 4.