Former Bathurst mayor Robert "Bobby" Bourke has been found guilty of misconduct in public office for his involvement in a blackmail attempt against another councillor. 

The charges stemmed from his role in delivering an anonymous letter to councillor Jacqui Rudge in March 2020. 

Sentencing is scheduled for September.

During the trial, it was revealed that Rudge received an anonymous letter threatening to expose her mental health issues unless she resigned from the council. 

The letter, presented as evidence in court, stated; “We recommend you stand down and seek professional help. Written in confidence; however, if not acted on in the next seven days, this will be made public”. 

Rudge testified that she felt suicidal upon receiving the message.

The court heard that Bathurst businessman Darryl Leahey confessed to writing the letter, but Bourke facilitated its delivery. 

The prosecution argued that Bourke and Leahey were engaged in a joint criminal enterprise, attempting to undermine the local government's democratic system. 

Crown prosecutor Paul Kerr questioned why Bourke would have taken measures to purchase the envelope and involve others in its delivery if he had no knowledge of the letter's contents.

While the defence acknowledged the letter's offensive nature, they asked the jury to consider whether it constituted blackmail or merely political tactics. 

Bourke's defence lawyer, Peter Skinner, said that there was reasonable doubt regarding Bourke's awareness of the letter's content and stated; “It is not a crime to not ask why someone is asking you to post something that you haven't read the contents of”. 

During the trial, a critical moment occurred when Bourke inadvertently revealed familiarity with the threatening letter. 

The jury deliberated for five hours and 15 minutes before finding Bourke guilty of misconduct in public office. 

The prosecution's case included various pieces of evidence that strengthened the circumstantial case against him.

More details are accessible here.