Former construction union boss John Setka has been arrested and charged by Victoria police after allegedly sending threatening and harassing emails to a union administrator. The 61-year-old was arrested at a home in Footscray about 6.40am on Wednesday, with police seizing a mobile phone and an iPad during a search of the property.
Setka has been charged with seven counts of 'using a telecom communications device to menace, harass and offend'. The police operation was led by Taskforce Hawk, established in July 2024 to target allegations of criminal behaviour linked to the construction industry.
According to police, Setka sent 'a number of allegedly threatening, offensive and abusive emails to a CFMEU administrator following a notice to produce sent on 27 October and a follow-up letter sent on 28 October'. He has been bailed and will appear before Melbourne's magistrates court on 30 January.
Victoria police's assistant commissioner, Martin O'Brien, encouraged anyone with information on concerning behaviour in the construction industry to come forward. 'We will not tolerate behaviour that aims to intimidate and harass people who simply want to be able to go to work and perform their job to the best of their ability,' O'Brien said.
Setka quit after 12 years as head of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime and Energy Union in Victoria in 2024 following a Nine investigation into alleged criminal links within the construction industry. The union's construction and general division was placed into administration in mid-2024 over allegations of serious misconduct, corruption and violence.
