Nicola Gobbo: the lawyer with a secret police collaboration

A defense lawyer who was also an informant. A gang war in Melbourne that unfolded in the media. Who could you really trust? The Australian media Trace: The Informer, the second season of the popular Trace podcast, sheds light on the scandal surrounding Nicola Gobbo—better known as 'Lawyer X' or 'Informer 3838'. Each episode explores how she played a treacherous double role for a decade, as a defense attorney for notorious criminals while secretly allied with Victoria Police. Hosts Rachael Brown and Josie Taylor elegantly guide listeners through complex legal mazes, with technical finesse by Tim Roxburgh and Martin Peralta. The series, launched in late summer 2020, is available on the ABC Listen app and other streaming platforms like Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.

The podcast's unique storytelling style and ethical dilemmas

The podcast's storytelling style is both elegant and bold, combining journalistic precision with crime novel-like suspense. Nicola Gobbo's story reveals a woman caught in a game bigger than she could handle. But Trace: The Informer is more than just an audio crime story; it's an in-depth analysis of integrity and the balance of power, where each new revelation raises the unsettling question: What price do we put on justice when those we trust become traitors? Methodically, the series is recognized for its use of exclusive material, such as interviews with Gobbo herself, recorded while she was in hiding. However, it is criticized for not fully confronting the ethical dilemmas of platforming a controversial figure like Gobbo, although ABC has ensured legally sound content.

Trace: The Informer's impact on Australia's legal system

Trace: The Informer did not just become a listener favorite but also won the prestigious Walkley Award for its ability to shine a light on possibly the greatest legal scandal in recent Australian history. With its gripping narrative, the podcast peels back the layers of a case that has left over 1,000 legal cases open for review. It has become a cultural anchor and part of the public conversation about the fragility of the justice system, especially in light of the police's aggressive use of secret sources. The series provokes thought about the unseen forces at play in the difficult game of justice and how real-world plot developments often do not match justice's ideals.

Listen to Trace: The Informer at podcasts.apple.com, and gain insight into one of Australia's biggest legal scandals. Follow CrimeClub for more revealing true-crime analyses.