Antony Catalano, a 59-year-old media mogul, has been excused from appearing in person at Melbourne Magistrates Court after his lawyer argued that intense media scrutiny could be detrimental to his mental health. Catalano faces charges of assault, false imprisonment, and making threats to kill his wife, Stefanie Catalano, following an incident in the early hours of 13 March.
Court Proceedings and Media Attention
Catalano was due to appear in court for the first time since the allegations emerged. However, his lawyer, Tony Hargreaves, requested that he be excused from attending in person, citing the potentially harmful effects of media attention. Hargreaves noted that an image of Catalano had been taken during his rehabilitation, highlighting the extent of press scrutiny. Magistrate Nahrain Warda granted the leave, allowing Catalano to appear via video link instead.
During the brief hearing, Catalano appeared in a black suit, white shirt, and dark tie, fidgeting at times and keeping his hands clasped. He was also observed watching the proceedings online.
Allegations and Legal Proceedings
It is alleged that Catalano grabbed his wife by the hair and ankles, dragged her around a Melbourne apartment, and swung an iron at her, according to multiple media reports. He was granted bail following a late-night court hearing after the incident. The case has been adjourned for another hearing in June.
Hargreaves reported that Catalano had successfully completed a 28-day rehabilitation program and expressed deep remorse and sorrow for his actions on 13 March.
Background on Antony Catalano
Catalano is the co-owner of Australian Community Media (ACM), the largest regional and rural digital media company in Australia, which owns titles such as The Canberra Times and The Newcastle Herald. He purchased ACM from Nine Entertainment for $115 million in 2019. Previously, he spent 26 years with Fairfax and served as chief executive of Domain for four years, leading the property classifieds operation through its spin-off from Fairfax in 2017.
ACM general manager Tony Kendall confirmed in March that Catalano had been placed on an immediate leave of absence until the court case is resolved. Catalano is yet to enter a plea to the charges.
