Ex-bikie boss under investigation over alleged inducements to CFMEU officials

The former national vice-president of the Mongols outlaw bikie gang is being probed by police over allegations he offered inducements to officials still serving in the CFMEU in return for their support of his business.

Ex-Mongol and former CFMEU delegate Tyrone “Little Ty” Bell is the target of a Taskforce Hawk operation examining whether CFMEU organisers leaked him information or co-ordinated union activity with him in order to advance the interests of Bell’s industrial relations consultancy.

The Hawk inquiry is significant for two reasons: it is the first “secret commissions” investigation undertaken by the state police taskforce combating wrongdoing in the building industry , and it is examining Bell’s dealings with serving rather than former CFMEU officials.

It comes as Victoria Police expands its focus from investigating and prosecuting suspects to gathering information to supply the promised royal commission into the building industry.

Premier Ben Carroll is expected within days to release the terms of reference of his promised royal commission into the building industry in Victoria.

Pressure is building on the new premier to act, with the Queensland commission of inquiry into the CFMEU spending the past two days examining the activities of Melbourne Comanchero bikie gang figures with extensive construction interests in Victoria.

Documents and financial records uncovered by this masthead reveal how the Comancheros’ Melbourne chapters have used front companies in an effort to win work on Victorian government projects.

Documents signed by a Comanchero figure who operates as the gang’s financial controller detail his plan to operate “on Major Projects or Big Build [projects] with a total Project value above $30,000,000”.

Banking records reveal the same Comanchero figure received $690,000 in separate payments from a Big Build earthworks subcontractor working on the West Gate Tunnel project between May and October 2024.

Both Carroll and Opposition Leader Jess Wilson have promised a Victorian royal commission, but neither has announced their preferred commissioner. Until an inquiry commences, Taskforce Hawk will remain as the lead entity tackling wrongdoing in the sector.

Before its probe targeting Bell, Taskforce Hawk has focused on charging former union bosses and ex-CFMEU delegates, including those sacked in mid-July 2024 after this masthead kicked off its Building Bad series.

Previous targets include ex-union officials who are alleged by Hawk to have engaged in bikie gang extortion activity in early 2026, many months after departing the union.

But the inquiry targeting Bell is focused on his relationship with at least two still-serving CFMEU organisers employed by the union while it remains under administration.

Four sources with knowledge of the police activity, who would only speak on the basis that they were not identified, confirmed Hawk is probing allegations that these union officials secretly supported the ex-Mongol chief’s effort to win work advising major Victorian construction firms on industrial relations and safety matters.