National

Drug counsellor's Order of Australia gone

By AAP Newswire

May 27, 2022

Victoria County Court. — A County Court judge called Anthony Dieni's fall from grace a "crash worthy of Icarus". -AAP Image

A corrupt drug counsellor jailed for exchanging cocaine and other drugs for lies in court has had his Order of Australia award cancelled.

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Anthony Dieni was awarded the medal of the Order of Australia in 1997 for "services to the community through St Paul's Drug Rehabilitation Centre for people with addictions to drugs and alcohol".

But he was jailed in 2020 after a corruption investigation revealed he had been helping addicts to hide their problems, even lying in bail applications and court sentence hearings about their recovery in exchange for drugs.

His life could have been a great success story but instead became a "crash worthy of Icarus", County Court Judge Patricia Riddell said.

The decision to cancel the award was made byÂ Governor-General David Hurley.

Dieni, now 74, knew it was coming.

"I am remorseful I will lose my Order of Australia when I'm convicted," he told a counsellor ahead of his sentencing in 2020.

A psychologist reported Dieni placed himself in a position where he felt admired, needed and respected - behaviour consistent with a Messiah complex.

Dieni must serve five years before he is eligible for parole.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press