AWU scandal: police investigation broadens The Herald Sun reports: Read on for details on the breadth of the investigation. Hedley Thomas and Pia Akerman also have more: A FORMER union employee who has told of depositing $5000 into Julia Gillard's bank account at the direction of her allegedly corrupt union boss boyfriend has been asked by Victoria Police to make a formal statement as part of an ongoing fraud investigation... Ms Gillard has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in relation to the money... The Australian is aware that detectives have questioned more than 12 witnesses since late last year who had direct knowledge of the Australian Workers Union slush fund scandal, the role of Ms Gillard at law firm Slater & Gordon and admissions by former AWU official Ralph Blewitt that he helped perpetrate a major fraud at the union. Ms Gillard says she provided legal advice to help set up the AWU Workplace Reform Association, which her then boyfriend Bruce Wilson later used to carry out the alleged fraud. She later described the association as a "slush fund" for the re-election of union officials, but said she had no knowledge of its operations. Wayne Hem, a former AWU employee, said yesterday that Fraud Squad detectives wanted him to say as little as possible to the media about his upcoming statement: "I've been asked not to say what my role is going to be." And note again: Michael Smith is, as usual, all over these developments. He is also surprised that the media treats Fordham's account of having been interviewed by police as merely "claims." Reader Spin, Baby Spin: People are getting their wires crossed on the Gillard AWU story. Gillard confirms her previous statements still stand. Grace Collier outlines that statement succinctly: Hedley and I have both written about the âAWU scandal. Some weeks ago I sent the following question to the PM's office after speaking with the police: âI am asserting that the PM is a subject of a police enquiry. I believe the investigation was initiated in response to an allegation made against the PM, specifically that she created a false document â¦ I am wanting to know whether the PM is aware the investigation is into whether this allegation is correct and if so whether she intends to comply. By comply I mean respond to any police requests for interview that may be made. And the PM's response: âThe investigation into this matter has been known for some time. As the Prime Minister has repeatedly made clear, she was not involved in any wrongdoing. The investigation is a matter for the police. The Prime Minister hasn't denied my assertion that she is a subject of a police enquiry, nor have the Victorian Police corrected it. I get really dirty with the journos when they say Gillard "denies" AWU investigation claims. She hasn't denied there is an AWU investigation into her. She's denied she did anything wrong. There is a big difference and it needs to be made.