Orlando Herran claims the Australian government owes him $26,000

[Nergal]

 

CASSIE Sainsbury’s Colombian lawyer claims the Australian government has refused to pay her legal bills.

Orlando Herran says the Federal government still owes him a considerable amount of money for defending the South Australian drug mule.

‘Cocaine Cassie’ faced up to 30 years in jail when she was arrested in April 2017 carrying 5.8kg of cocaine at Bogota’s El Dorado Airport.

But with the help of her lawyer she reached a plea deal in November last year and was sentenced to six years jail and given a fine of $130,000.

However she could serve as little as two and a half years.

Australian taxpayers funded Sainsbury’s legal defence, with some reports claiming it cost around $100,000. But Herran said he wasn’t paid anything like that.

“The Australian government only paid my fees until August 30, 2017 and has so far refused to pay the rest of my fees,” he told Fairfax Media.

“They only made a payment corresponding to the work from April to August 2017.”

“Only US$16,000 (A$21,240) for five months of work... a pretty low fee,” he said.

According to Herran, the Australian government owes him a further US$20,000 (A$26,550) for his work on the case.

Australians who find themselves in serious trouble with the law in a foreign country can be provided legal assistance by the federal government under the Serious Overseas Criminal Matters Scheme.

According to the scheme: “The Attorney-General’s Department may help Australians facing serious criminal charges in an overseas country with the cost of their defence. Applications can be made to the department for grants to cover legal fees and other expenses.”

Australians who face 20 years or more in jail or the death penalty are eligible for the scheme.

The scheme does not specify a cap on legal expenses, however they are not offered to those who can meet the cost of fees or if the defendent is eligible for legal assistance in the country where they have allegedly committed the crime.

CASSIE’S PAINFUL JAILHOUSE SPLIT

Last month, Sainsbury revealed split with fiance Scott Broadbridge since being sentenced to six years in a Colombian jail for drug trafficking.

In an interview with KIIS FM, the Adelaide-born drug mule also claimed she would have only made around $4000 for smuggling almost 6kg of cocaine out of the South American country after paying for flights and accommodation.

“I actually broke up with Scott back in February. It’s been kept very quiet,” she told the Kyle and Jackie O Show.

“From the moment I got in here the relationship was doomed. I broke up with Scott because it was the best thing for me and the best thing for his future as well.”

Speaking from jail in Bogota, Sainsbury said her drug smuggling attempt would not have made her rich.

“What I was told was, the $10,000 (she was told she would be paid), they would take out my flights, my accommodation, I would be paid what was left over,’ she said.

“But I never got paid anything.”

Sainsbury also claimed she had been the victim of violence and discrimination behind bars.

The 22-year-old said she has had trouble with the 15 other inmates she shares a ‘patio’ with at the El Buen Pastor prison since being arrested at Bogota airport.

“Everyone looks at white people as ‘gringos’ ... there is a lot of discrimination. Not knowing Spanish, everything just piled on and people took advantage,” she said.

Sainsbury claimed she had become an unofficial peacekeeper in the prison and in trying to stop a number of fights had been hit in the face by a 70-year-old inmate.

“After that (being hit) I thought ‘nope I’m not getting involved with this old lady anymore’, she was super strong for her age,” Sainbury said.

“I keep my distance from the people I know are trying to make trouble, I’m friendly with everyone, and that’s it.”

She also issued a warning for fellow young Australians travelling abroad.

“Really, really analyse the people you think you can trust. You might think you can trust them but they can be a complete different person,” Sainsbury said.