Geraldton woman Tara Louise Woodside ‘tried to blackmail lawyer into handing over $150,000’

The identity of a woman accused of attempting to blackmail a Geraldton lawyer into handing over $150,000 can now be revealed after a temporary suppression order was lifted in court today. Police have accused Tara Louise Woodside of demanding money at a meeting with the woman on February 19, saying she would share explicit text messages the lawyer sent her if she didn’t receive it. Last week at her first appearance, the Magistrate’s Court in Geraldton was told Ms Woodside had previously engaged the lawyer in a matter and had approximately $6000 in legal fees outstanding. Prosecutor Sgt Beau Jones said the lawyer allegedly sent a series of personal text relating to her marriage and family health issues to the 41-year-old on January 21, before realising it was a mistake and apologising. “The complainant sent a series of messages to the accused... relating to sex with her husband,” he said. He said Ms Woodside then allegedly filed a complaint with the Law Council of Australia, believing she was “a victim of sexual harassment”. A month later, in the lawyer’s office she allegedly verbally demanded the woman pay her $150,000 to not distribute the content of text messages and to withdraw the complaint. Sgt Jones said the lawyer reported the incident to police four days later. When contacted by police, Ms Woodside allegedly said “she wanted to settle with complainant because she believed she was a victim”. She was charged with demanding property by oral threats, and has yet to enter a plea however, barrister Seamus Rafferty, defending, indicated Ms Woodside would plead not guilty and was preparing to fight the charge in the District Court. In Court, Magistrate Chris Miocevich outlined his decision to remove a suppression order which prevented disclosure of any details which would identify the parties involved. “Last week when this matter came before me I granted a temporary order because I didn't have time to listen to the arguments of both sides,” he said. “The openness of the court is a fundamental tenant of justice, matters before the court must fully be exposed to scrutiny. The starting position is all matters should be heard in an open court.” “Many members of the public rely on the media to keep them informed about matters of justice. I can find no exceptional and compelling reason to continue the suppression order on this matter and accept it will cause some embarrassment for the complainant.” He accepted the text messages were of a “sensitive nature” but a complaint had already been filed with the legal practice board and this was not a good enough reason to withhold the public’s right for justice to be conducted in an open manner. Ms Woodside will next appear in the same court on June 10. A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the alleged extortion attempt occurred on January 21, this was inaccurate and the story has since been amended to reflect that.