Estranged wife charged with conspiracy to murder union boss John Setka

The estranged wife of John Setka has been charged with conspiracy to murder the Victorian union leader following a police search on Wednesday.

Nine newspapers first reported on Wednesday, and other media confirmed, that the former lawyer Emma Walters has been charged after allegedly attempting to acquire a firearm and making threats to kill a man earlier this month.

A spokesperson for Victoria police confirmed charges had been laid.

“Investigators executed a search warrant at a residential address in Footscray on Wednesday, 29 March where they seized a mobile phone,” the spokesperson said.

“A 46-year-old Footscray woman has subsequently been charged with incitement to commit conspiracy to murder, incitement to acquire a firearm and make threats to kill.”

The alleged target was reportedly Setka, the Victorian secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union.

Walters has been contacted by Guardian Australia for comment.

She told The Age newspaper that she denied the allegations.

“I’ve been handcuffed today, I’ve dealt with the allegations that have been put to me,” she said.

Walters has been released on bail to face Melbourne magistrates court on 5 April.

Setka was also contacted for comment.