The defense attorney for a well-known socialite accused of participating in a large conspiracy that trafficked drugs into Australia, including meth, cocaine, and ketamine, showed up in court with a cat.
On Thursday, Sydney attorney Melissa Huseyin streamed from what looked to be her office into the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court via videolink.
Anthony Hess, who was detained in Melbourne in June as part of a combined Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police investigation, was the client she was defending.
Ms. Huseyin kept a straight face during amusing instances in which her needy cat appeared on video and attempted to perch on her lap as she spoke before Magistrate Kieran Gilligan.
Hess is charged with trying to import and possess 1kg of ketamine, 4kg of cocaine, and 4kg of meth.
In contrast to his lawyer’s opulent surroundings, Hess appeared from prison during his videolink appearance in court.
The 43-year-old had arrived to the court to discover his attorney was on mute, instead of the fancy outfits he is used to.
Hess shouted at Ms Huseyin repeatedly as she gazed aimlessly at the television.
Things changed from being moderately amusing to being interesting when she ultimately returned to the hearing.
Mr. Gilligan Hess informed Ms. Huseyin that the esteemed magistrate was now facing a “big trial” and proceeded to call him a demeaning “registrar.”
She was then forced to compete with her nosy cat, whose head could still be seen peeking out from behind her despite her best efforts to shoo it away.
Hess intervened once again when Mr. Gilligan considered providing basic court records to the media after the hearing was swiftly delayed to give Ms. Huseyin time to comprehend the 404 gigabyte-sized police brief.
Hess yelled at his attorney, Mel, who had no problem sharing his charge papers, “Don’t do that Mel!”
Hess’ alleged misconduct is serious business; if found guilty, the narcotics dealer may spend 25 years behind bars.
The group reportedly brought up to 15kg of pharmaceuticals from the US and Europe into Australia each shipment.
Hess was the sixth individual detained during the combined police operation.
Hess, who is notorious for damaging Roxy Jacenko’s office in Sydney as part of a protracted quarrel, has worked as everyone from an influencer to a sex worker.
Hess claimed that “gay males don’t spray graffiti,” and the court agreed. Nevertheless, Hess was fined $2,400 in November when additional video footage was found that proved his culpability.
His falling out with erstwhile BFF Hampton was no less dramatic, and it was due in large part to pictures of the two shopping together in 2017 that led to the MAFS favorite receiving a fine for breaking quarantine laws.
They haven’t missed a chance to snipe at one another on social media after their nasty breakup.
During a weekend of partying in Los Angeles in July, he unintentionally exposed at least 60 individuals to the Delta variant of the coronavirus.
Ms Huseyin won’t be released from jail until December 12, which is when his next court date is scheduled.
Hess has had positions as a sex worker, brand ambassador, clothing salesperson, and Instagram influencer—but not as a Bitcoin dealer, as he is sometimes referred to.
He is most known for his disastrous connection with Married At First Sight actress Stacey Hampton and his legal victory against Sydney PR queen Roxy Jacenko. Last year, following a fight with his former bikie leader pal Toby Mitchell, he escaped to Los Angeles.
He accidently infected at least 60 individuals with the Delta strain over a long weekend binge in July 2021 while living in LA, turning him into a Covid super-spreader.
In a long-running dispute, he had been fined $2,400 a month earlier for spray-painting “Roxy is a c**t” on Ms. Jacenko’s Sydney PR office.
Ms. Jacenko filed a restraining order against him, but he was able to get it rejected in court when it was determined that he was not the graffiti’s author.
Though Hess was identified as the perpetrator thanks to GoPro video discovered during a search of Sydney street artist Anthony Lister for an unrelated rape case.
When Hess traveled to Colombia for cosmetic surgery, his US visa was revoked, and he was forced to return to Australia in January.
Since that time, he has spent the most of his time in Melbourne while going through a drawn-out and difficult procedure to get his residency in the US back.