FROM a luxury waterfront mansion to a police cell

FROM a luxury waterfront mansion to a police cell, building tycoon Ron Medich's mood last night would have been as black as the clothes he customarily wears.
NSW's first multi-millionaire to be charged over a murder since Manly hotelier Andrew Kalajzich was charged with killing his wife in 1986, Medich spent last night in a cell at the Sydney Police Centre.
Instead of enjoying a coffee outside his Leichhardt headquarters this morning, followed by a laid-back lunch at favourite Italian restaurant, Tuscany Ristorante, he will eat porridge.
Before he meets his new prison mates today, he will be searched and outfitted in his new colour de jour - prison green.
Come Tuesday, the wealthy racehorse owner will watch the Melbourne Cup on a jail TV instead of mixing it trackside with racing royalty.
From humble beginnings in in Sydney's west, Mr Medich, 62, worked his way up to millionaire's row with a $40 million mansion in the city's Point Pier suburb.


He mixed it with society. It was close pal, property developer Bob Ell, who introduced him to the smooth-talking Scottish-born Michael McGurk.

At their first meeting they were joined by one of McGurk's oldest friends, Richie Vereker, who used to hold the David Jones butcher's franchise.
Mr Medich employed Labor powerbroker Graham Richardson as a lobbyist.
In the 13 months since Mr McGurk was shot dead, the strain of being in the public spotlight has shown on Mr Medich and his marriage to his blonde Lithuanian-born wife Odetta, 42.
He was granted an interim apprehended domestic violence order against his wife but withdrew it last month.
Now she will have to line up with the other prison wives, push her designer handbag into a small locker, have her eyes captured on security camera and wait for her name to be called to visit him behind bars.


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