Detectives from Taskforce Hawk have today charged a man as part of an investigation into allegedly threatening and harassing emails sent to a CFMEU administrator.
With assistance from the Australian Federal Police, a Commonwealth search warrant was executed at a Footscray residential address this morning.
A 61-year-old Footscray man was arrested at the address around 6.40am.
He has since been interviewed by investigators and charged with seven counts of using a telecom communications device to menace harass and offend.
He has been bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 30 January, 2026.
Detectives seized a mobile phone and an iPad.
Investigators will allege the Footscray man sent a number of allegedly threatening, offensive and abusive emails to a CFMEU administrator following a Notice to Produce sent on October 27 and a follow up letter sent on October 28.
Operation Hawk was established in July 2024 to specifically target criminal behaviour linked to the construction industry and transitioned to Taskforce Hawk in June 2025.
This was in response to a number of fresh allegations of serious and violent criminal behaviour.
Taskforce Hawk is focused on assessing new intelligence and evidence relating to allegations of criminal behaviour linked to the construction industry.
It also continues to proactively target organised crime associated with the sector, including a focus on any individuals employed within the construction industry who have known links to outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Police are also instigating approaches with relevant industry stakeholders to gather intelligence, as well as working closely with a range of law enforcement partners, regulators and government authorities.
Anyone with information about these incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Assistant Commissioner Martin O'Brien, Crime Command:
"Taskforce Hawk will investigate any and all criminal behaviour linked to the construction industry - be that extortions, arsons, serious violent offending or threatening and harassing communications.
"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.
"We could encourage anyone that has any information on concerning behaviours witnessed in any construction industry workplace to come forward and speak to police. As always, it can be done anonymously and reports will be treated with the strictest of confidence.
"I also want to be clear that any piece of information provided to police will be thoroughly investigated and we will continue to work closely with any other relevant agency as required."
