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A fresh row has broken out over an ABC reporter's role in a true crime podcast that was funded by an unlicensed overseas crypto casino.
Ryan Naumenko's feud with his Word on the Street podcast co-host Mahmood Fazal - known for his work on the public broadcaster's Four Corners program - erupted after just one episode due to the award-winning reporter's demands for cash.
The pair allegedly had a stand-off over his fee, which forced Naumenko to withdraw $7500 from an ATM in the early hours of the morning before Fazal would speak a word on the podcast.
Fazal is a former member of the Mongols bikie gang who has worked as an investigative reporter at the ABC since 2021. The broadcaster has now launched a probe into the row.
Naumenko alleged Fazal demanded his payment in cash, which he handed over in full for the first episode. A further $4000 cash payment was allegedly made for the second, topped up by an additional $1000 electronic transfer.
The independent journalist claimed Fazal failed to tell his employer that he was being paid. The taxpayer-funded ABC has strict rules requiring extra-curricular work and payments for its employees be approved by management.
The self-professed 'outlaw journalist' later admitted that the money funding the podcast had come from online gambling firm Vegastars to the tune of $25,000 an episode.
The podcast series has since been scrapped.
Ryan Naumenko has questioned the ABC's investigations into his claims
But weeks after he made the allegations, Naumenko claims the ABC has still not even contacted him for more details for their supposed internal investigation.
'The ABC shouldn't be trusted regarding anything they say because where is the investigation?' he told Daily Mail.
'Where are the emails from ABC to me? Where are the phone calls from the ABC to me? Where are the responses to my emails asking if an investigation is going on?'
While Naumenko said he initially planned not to cooperate with the ABC investigation, he later informed the national broadcaster he had changed his mind.
'I told them I wanted to cooperate. I've not had a response to anything,' he said.
The ABC declined to comment about the claims on Monday. The Daily Mail has also contacted Fazal for comment.
Fazal, who also has an intervention order against Naumenko, has claimed text messages provided to the ABC's Media Watch program apparently showing him demand cash for his appearance on Naumenko's podcast were 'deliberately taken out of context'.
The ABC reporter's lawyer, Rebekah Giles, also told Media Watch that any funds Fazal did receive from Naumenko were only ever transferred to him so he could pay their production crew – a claim hotly denied by Naumenko.
Mahmood Fazal was previously an outlaw bikie
Just days after Naumenko's falling out with Fazal, his mother's Mildura home, in Victoria's north-west, suffered a violent home invasion.
It is not suggested that Fazal had anything to do with the home invasion.
The shocking attack saw Naumenko's elderly and sick mum assaulted by machete-wielding thugs.
Naumenko described the horror attack at his mother's family home on Instagram the next day.
'My mother's home was invaded by three youth offenders last night,' he posted.
'It was over an article revealing details about someone that weren't yet known. Two of the children were carrying weapons - a machete and a small bat,' he wrote.
'They jumped the fence and smashed their way in through the backyard.'
Naumenko has since identified the man he believes ordered the attack, and who he has linked to the kingpin behind Melbourne's ruthless underworld tobacco wars.
CCTV of a young thug who carried out a home invasion on the home of Ryan Naumenko's mother in October
Naumenko has made a name for himself as a fearless independent Melbourne-crime reporter able to get rare insights into the criminal underworld.
His sources within Melbourne's underbelly give him access to scoops often beyond the grasp of mainstream journalists.
Naumenko has now hit out at Victoria Police for failing to make a single arrest over the home invasion at his mother's house.
'I'm disgusted by the process and how long it takes to make arrests, even when Victoria Police know who was involved and where they are,' he said.
'The issue becomes then simply red tape.
'They need to gather all the evidence together so the judge can then go, 'Okay you've got enough evidence to prove this (person) did this apart from Ryan Naumenko's word. We can lock him up.'
'But my word is not good enough. The facts that I know about my own case are not good enough for the police. I don't believe that any arrests will be made.
Mahmood Fazal is under investigation by the ABC over his podcast with Naumenko
'I believe the kids will get away with what they did and I believe the guy that ordered it will continue to live his cushy existence over in Dubai where I believe he currently is.'
A Victoria Police spokesman told Daily Mail its investigation into the Naumenko home invasion remains ongoing.
Anyone with information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppers.vic.com.au.