The commissioner of corrective services had opposed Mehajer’s release, citing a risk of reoffending, a lack of change in attitude and an “absence of insight”.
A report about Mehajer’s post-incarceration prospects also reveals concern that “the environment into which [he] will be released will ingratiate him further among attitudes that do not challenge offending”.
Mehajer outside court in 2020.Credit: Janie Barrett
It also noted he had the “unwavering” support of his family, although members of his family have had their own fraud convictions and are associated with a known Sydney crime family.
The State Parole Authority assessed Mehajer’s risk of reoffending as “medium” in granting him parole.
Mehajer broke down in court in October last year after claiming he was not given a fair trial while defending himself against domestic violence allegations.
He told the court at the time that he had recently been returned to solitary confinement for his own protection.
Prosecutors then said Mehajer had a history of lodging applications and appeals, which had the effect of delaying his proceedings.
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Mehajer’s appeal against his domestic violence convictions is listed for hearing in the Court of Criminal Appeal on August 4.
He separately pleaded guilty last year to separate offences of staging a car crash to avoid a 2017 court hearing and falsely nominating other people as the driver for multiple traffic infringements, but his jail time was not extended any further.
Mehajer rose to notoriety when his lavish wedding celebrations shut down a street in 2015, which reportedly cost $1 million and involved illegally shutting down a street, a helicopter and a fighter jet’s fly by.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).
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