The suburban Melbourne council at the centre of a controversial closure of a family-run catering business has labelled claims it was shut down without basis "a nasty, hurtful conspiracy theory".
Earlier this month, Victoria Police closed an investigation into the 2019 closure of I Cook Foods but the saga is far from over, with a high-stakes Supreme Court battle due to begin at the end of the month.
The business was closed by then-acting Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton after it was linked to the death of an elderly woman with listeria and other alleged health breaches.
Owner Ian Cook has always maintained his innocence and even accused council inspectors of planting a slug in his Dandenong South kitchen.
Charges against him and the business were dropped before they went to court.
Throughout the saga, Greater Dandenong Council has made few public comments, despite the serious allegations levelled at it.
In a recent message to council staff, chief executive John Bennie said there been "scurrilous and defamatory" comments made about council officers.
Mr Bennie said the claims had taken a massive toll on the health and wellbeing of staff and had been "incredibly distressing for all of us".
"There was no cover-up, no false information, and no misleading documentation,'' he said.
"So, let's call this out for what it really is — a series of baseless claims centred on a nasty, hurtful conspiracy theory."
Mr Cook has rejected that characterisation, telling the ABC that calling it "a hateful conspiracy is just wrong".
Mr Cook is suing the council and the health department for $50 million in damages for closing his business. High-profile QC Robert Richter is representing the family.
Two retired police officers worked with Mr Cook and made allegations the process was corrupt.
The council was a stakeholder in a rival business, Community Chef, which has since been sold to Western Health.
Police investigation closed earlier this month
An initial police investigation into the closure found nothing but after allegations that probe was not conducted properly, it was reopened by Chief Commissioner Shane Patton.
Earlier this month, Victoria Police said the case had now been closed.
"As part of the investigation, police obtained additional witness statements, executed four search warrants, seized emails, images and records, forensically examined items, sought expert advice from an entomologist and interviewed one person of interest,'' the statement said.
"Upon reviewing the new evidence, Victoria Police can confirm no criminal action has been detected."
Mr Cook said the police had failed to conduct a proper investigation and claimed his civil case would shed more light on the controversial closure.
"Everything they have done has raised more questions than answers,'' Mr Cook said.
"People will be embarrassed when this all comes out."
The Health Department said it welcomed the result of the police investigation.
