Lawyer quits after Corby spat

SYDNEY - Schapelle Corby's former Australian lawyer has accused her family of profiteering from her drug smuggling conviction.

Gold Coast-based lawyer Robin Tampoe quit Corby's camp on Saturday after falling out with her mother Rosleigh Rose.

He told the Nine Network that Rose had accused him of trying to profit by gaining a profile out of her daughter's case.

On Friday, Corby fired her entire Indonesian legal team after allegations they planned to bribe judges hearing the appeal against her 20-year drug smuggling sentence.

It was reported yesterday that the 27-year-old's sacked Indonesian team allegedly sought A$800,000 ($884,000) from the Australian Government to assist with her appeal.

The sacked team's request for the money was detailed in a draft letter given to Perth barrister Mark Trowell, QC, in June, the Sunday Telegraph reported.

Trowell has already gone public about his belief that A$500,000 of the total amount was for bribes, rather than the stated "lobbying".

Tampoe said yesterday that the bribery allegations had raised real concerns that "the Indonesian Judiciary will be so upset about these comments that Schapelle will end up in a worse situation than she is now".

Tampoe denied knowing anything about the planned bribe and was so infuriated by the claim that he had decided to quit.

"In light of what has happened over the last couple of days, in relation to comments being made, I no longer want to be involved in this case," Tampoe said.

"From where I'm sitting the only people profiting from Schapelle Corby being in jail is her family."

Tampoe's departure follows that of Gold Coast business man Ron Bakir, who quit the Corby camp on Friday after Rose said he stood to personally benefit from the case.

Bakir had organised media deals for the family which had earned them substantial amounts of money, Tampoe said.

"I know for a fact that Ron Bakir hasn't profited one cent from any of those monies," Tampoe told the Nine Network.

Rose has pocketed more than A$100,000 from a media deal with the Nine Network, and her sister Mercedes Corby made A$30,000 in one deal with New Idea magazine, Tampoe said.

"The Indonesian lawyers have not received any money from the funds they've earned from interviews," Tampoe said.

But he says A$200,000 contributed by Bakir has been spent by Corby's legal team.

Tampoe alleged that after Corby was sentenced for importing 4.1kg of marijuana into Bali, Mercedes Corby ran from the court and later that day gave an interview to New Idea.

Earlier, she had told Tampoe she would not be able to cope if a harsh sentence was sought and asked him to see Schapelle, he said.

"I went to the holding cell among all the chaos to see Schapelle - I was holding her hand while she was crying," Tampoe said.

The Nine Network said Mercedes Corby told them she did do the New Idea interview that day.

But she is adamant she was very upset for her sister contrary to any impression Tampoe might have gained.

Mercedes also jeopardised the defence by lying when asked if anyone in the family had a criminal conviction or connection with drugs, Tampoe said.

He said Mercedes had denied any such history involving the family.

But just before the verdict in the Corby case was delivered, news broke that stepbrother Clinton Rose had a lengthy criminal history, Tampoe said.

- AAP