On June 13, 2004, Defteros was arrested during a series of police raids.

Members of the Purana taskforce arrested Defteros and underworld figure Mario Condello at separate locations in the city.

They were placed behind bars after being accused of offering a $500,000 contract to murder Condello's main rivals in Victoria's gangland wars, Carl Williams (right), Williams' father, George, and an unnamed minder for the father-son team.

It was also alleged Condello was planning to obtain a false passport and join his family in Europe after the killing was done.

Condello was also charged with possession of a handgun.

Detective-Sergeant Martin Robertson, told the court that police had been contacted by a registered police informer who revealed allegations of the planned murders.

"He [the informer] alleged he had been approached by the defendant, Defteros," Detective Robertson told the court.

"He was asked at that time if he had any work. He was told by Defteros that there was work for him on behalf of Condello and that they needed people they could trust."

It was alleged that Defteros then set up an initial meeting between Condello and the hitman which led to subsequent meetings where the pair discussed the intended killings.

"During these meetings ... the informer was given the job to kill Carl and George Williams and people that were described as minders," Detective Sergeant Robertson said.

The court heard the police informer wore an electronic wire during the meetings was now in a "secure location".

He told the court Condello and the informer discussed the Williams's movements, getaway vehicles to be used and the need to obtain false passports. He said the pair allegedly also talked about the use of disguises for the killings.

Detective Sergeant Robertson said police had intercepted phone calls between Defteros and the alleged hitman and between the hitman and Condello.

For each murder the hitman was to be paid $150,000 with $50,000 paid up-front. After the killings the hitman would flee overseas using a false passport.

Defteros surrendered his practising certificate after being charged. 

The Director of Public Prosecutions later dropped the charges against him but Defteros was in for a long fight to get his certificate back.

Another of the Williams team, Terrence Chimirri told Channel 9 he believed he was also the target of the alleged Condello conspiracy:

"Personally, I reckon 90 per cent they were trying, but I'm still here so I think the people that were trying haven't got balls."

Chimirri is one of the last of the team still standing or not in jail: "I use paranoia as an awareness so I'm aware of things.

If they are going to come, be prepared to fuckin' put me off."

And of his old lawyer and Condello's co-accused, George Defteros, Chimirri said: "His services were shit. He's a piece of shit. Seriously he's just a money-hungry bloke ... He got me for 10 large, the c***. I got a new solicitor, a better one, much better."

"I'll die for them [the Williamses]. No worries, you know what I mean. On the regards as I know they would do it for me."

"I mean personally I'm not plotting on anyone so, you know what I mean. But if they come, that's a different situation."

In November 2005, a lawyer to several underworld figures, Zarah Garde-Wilson (right), claimed that following her boyfirend, Lewis Caine's murder on May 8, 2004, alleged hitman Keith Faure had approached George Defteros, her then boss, and told him "for her to keep her mouth shut" and if she didn't he "would hold Mr Defteros personally responsible".

"I took it to mean that he (Mr Defteros) was responsible for keeping my mouth shut and if I didn't keep my mouth shut, we'd both be responsible," Garde-Wilson told a contempt hearing.

She said she had received telephone calls from Victoria's maximum-security Barwon Prison to her office but the caller remained silent.

"What is your belief if you give evidence?" asked her lawyer Gerard Nash, QC. "I will be shot," Garde-Wilson replied.

On November 20, 2007, the Herald Sun reported that police chief Christine Nixon had been urged to reopen an investigation into an unsolved murder attempt.

Former music promoter Michael Trkulja, a client of Defteros', was shot in the back by a hitman wearing a balaclava while dining at a St Albans restaurant in June 2004.

The would-be killer fled after his pistol jammed as he prepared to fire a second shot at Mr Trkulja, who had been enjoying a Sunday lunch with his elderly mother.

A Victoria Police document reveals detectives dropped the investigation because of a lack of evidence.

But Mr Trkulja, 58, claims he now knows the identity of the hitman and those who hired him.

He says he has passed the names to police.

"He (the hitman) was offered $10,000 to kill me. I know who sent him and they know that I know who they are," Mr Trkulja told the Herald Sun.

"I've told the police. I just want justice.

"Nobody should be shot like this."

Defteros, has written to Ms Nixon seeking a fresh investigation and the request is being considered.

On January 26, 2008, the Herald Sun reported that production of the Underbelly series had been disrupted by George Defteros, who the previous day had threatened a Supreme Court writ.

Defteros is a central figure in the 13-part TV drama due to hit the screens the following month.

The series was expected to focus on his relationship with Alphonse Gangitano.

Mr Defteros engaged top Melbourne defamation specialist Stewart Gibson.

"Any attempt to depict me as a lawyer of low impropriety and unethical behaviour will be met with legal proceedings instituted by my lawyers," Mr Defteros said.

"I regard the depiction of the gangland wars, in particular my role as a lawyer acting for parties, as nothing more than farcical and pure pantomine. We'll be watching it very closely."

A Nine spokeswoman said there would now be no direct reference to Mr Defteros, despite earlier publicity to the contrary.

"There is no lawyer called Defteros in Underbelly," Michelle Stamper said.

But Mr Defteros said he could still be defamed by implication.

"It's already been advertised as me," he said.

Mr Defteros also took aim at the actor who will portray him, George Kapiniaris of Wogs out of Work fame.

"It is absurd to suggest that an actor with a comical background such as George Kapiniaris could have any appreciation of the legal obligations and very real stresses involved in representing people who have been charged with extremely serious criminal offences," he said.

Defteros represents football great Wayne Johnston who, as it was reported on February 9, 2008, has been allegedly linked to a drug investigation.

It is alleged that damaging images of Johnston were uncovered after detectives raided a suspected South Melbourne drug dealer late in 2007.

Officers seized a computer which, when checked, revealed images of Johnston.

The Herald Sun believed the images showed Johnston, 50, and lines of a white powder

Defteros, told the Herald Sun his client knew nothing of the alleged images.

"He is not aware of any alleged photographs. Nor has he been spoken to by any police," Mr Defteros said.

"If there are any allegations to be made against him then they should be put in the proper manner."

Defteros denied the former Carlton champion and four-time premiership player had been sacked as a runner for the Richmond Football Club.

"He has left the Richmond Football Club on good terms, on his own accord, for business and personal reasons," he said.

Police refused to confirm Johnston's image had been found, only saying that a computer was seized and a man arrested when drug taskforce officers searched a South Melbourne address.

The suspected dealer is believed to be well-known to police.

A small amount of white powder was seized during the swoop on the York St house.