The Advertiser: Baptism of fire for new `Eliot Ness’ [27apr05]
THE state’s new “Eliot Ness”, Stephen Pallaras, QC, faced a tough assignment on his first day on the job. But instead of coming out with all guns blazing, the new Director of Public Prosecutions spent yesterday bunkered down in his Pirie St headquarters being briefed on his new role. Mr Pallaras had flown into his first controversy with the public anxious to hear his views on the legal storm surrounding the Eugene McGee hit-and-run case.

Mr Pallaras was appointed to the $280,000-a-year post in March, replacing Paul Rofe, QC, after a controversial 10-month search. At the time, Premier Mike Rann said he wanted a DPP in the mould of U.S. crime fighter Eliot Ness. Yesterday, he was briefed by Wendy Abraham, QC, who had been acting DPP and was overlooked for the top legal spot.

Mr Pallaras also held talks with Attorney-General Michael Atkinson, who had earlier said Mr Pallaras had some difficult decisions to make. “It’ll be a baptism of fire,” Mr Atkinson said on ABC radio. Also yesterday: NEW figures show 400 motorists fled the scene of an accident or failed to report a crash last financial year.

MR PALLARAS said he would spend this week and next being briefed by his office. THE Opposition urged Mr Pallaras to “ignore political interference” from the Government. As television news crews staked out his offices, Mr Pallaras issued a statement saying he would only speak to the media on May 6 at the SA Press Club.

McGee has been acquitted of causing death by dangerous driving after he fatally hit cyclist Ian Humphrey in 2003. He was convicted of the lesser charge of driving without due care and has previously pleaded guilty to not stopping at the crash scene. Last Thursday, witnesses to the accident publicly claimed they had evidence about the case which was never heard by jurors and they have since been re-interviewed by police. Sentencing submissions will be heard tomorrow.