Media mogul Antony Catalano charged with assault and placed on leave after alleged violent incident with a woman
Consensus Summary
Australian media mogul Antony Catalano, co-owner and chairman of Australian Community Media, was charged with assault, false imprisonment, and making threats to kill after allegedly dragging a woman through an apartment by her hair and ankles, then swinging a clothes iron at her head. The incident occurred at his St Kilda penthouse on April 12, 2024, leaving the victim with a fractured tailbone and requiring hospitalisation. Catalano was granted bail despite police opposition, with Magistrate Rohan Lawrence describing the evidence as strong enough to warrant a potential jail term. Catalano admitted in a statement to long-standing mental health and substance abuse issues, apologising for his actions and announcing he would enter a rehabilitation program while taking a six-month leave from work. ACM placed him on immediate leave, and the case was adjourned until May 11. Catalano’s career includes rising through Fairfax Media to lead Domain before purchasing ACM for $115 million in 2019, though recent personal and business challenges have included failed property sales, a strained marriage, and a public altercation with a celebrity. Sources confirm the incident was captured on CCTV, and Catalano’s barrister acknowledged physical contact but disputed the severity of the alleged assault. While most outlets agree on the core facts, details about Catalano’s personal struggles, business pressures, and the exact nature of his rehabilitation plans vary slightly between sources.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Antony Catalano, co-owner and chairman of Australian Community Media (ACM), was charged with assault, false imprisonment, and making threats to kill in relation to an alleged incident at a Melbourne apartment on Friday, April 12 2024
- Catalano was granted bail on Friday evening after a Melbourne Magistrates’ Court hearing, with Magistrate Rohan Lawrence describing the evidence as 'relatively strong' and stating a jail term is possible if charges are proven
- The alleged victim suffered a fractured coccyx (tailbone) and was hospitalised for several hours after the incident, which was captured by CCTV
- Catalano was placed on an immediate leave of absence from ACM until the matter is resolved, as announced by ACM’s managing director Tony Kendall via email to staff
- Catalano admitted in a statement to struggling with 'significant mental health and substance abuse issues' and would enter a rehabilitation program while taking a six-month leave of absence from work
- The incident occurred at Catalano’s apartment in the Saint Moritz building, St Kilda, Melbourne, where he owns a $30 million penthouse purchased in 2019
- Catalano’s barrister Jason Gullaci SC acknowledged there was 'no doubt' his client made physical contact with the woman, though disputed the claim that Catalano forcefully swung a clothes iron at her head
- Catalano was admitted to a psychiatric ward in Byron Bay four weeks prior to the incident after using drugs, and reportedly called police at his Byron Bay property three days before the assault allegation due to paranoia
- Catalano’s bail was opposed by police, who argued he posed an unacceptable risk of further offending and fleeing Victoria, but was released after agreeing to bail conditions
- The case was adjourned until May 11, 2024, and Catalano was not required to enter a plea at the initial hearing
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The Guardian reported Victoria police declined to comment when approached, and Catalano did not respond to a request for comment on Saturday
- The Guardian noted Catalano bought his stake in ACM in 2019 after working as a journalist and then as the boss of real estate giant Domain, and described his 'foresight and vision for ACM' as having moved it to Australia’s leading independent media company
- NewsWire (Newscomaau) reported Catalano said he would check himself into a rehabilitation centre, though the ABC and Guardian did not explicitly state this phrasing
- The source emphasized Catalano’s statement that he was 'deeply ashamed' and 'humiliated' following the incident
- The Age included a quote from an unnamed source stating Catalano was 'deeply traumatised by the sudden death of close friend and prominent Byron Bay restaurateur Kim Stephen'
- The Age reported Catalano’s St Kilda penthouse was originally listed for $36 million but later reduced to $29.95 million due to Melbourne’s soft real estate market, and his Mount Buller penthouse was priced at $9.25 million with no buyer
- The Age mentioned Catalano’s recent public altercation with celebrity jeweller Giovanni D’Ercole in Byron Bay in March 2023, though no charges were laid
- The Age included a quote from a Melbourne businessman friend of Catalano’s stating 'The problem for Cat is he carries on like a 30-year-old, but he’s almost 60. At some point something has to give'
- The Age reported Catalano’s business partner Alex Waislitz agreed to a $325 million settlement with his former wife, Visy heiress Heloise Pratt
- The ABC reported Catalano’s statement was published by ACM-owned publication The Canberra Times on Saturday evening, and the ABC had contacted Catalano directly for his statement
- The ABC included a description of Catalano sitting with his head in his hands during the bail hearing
- The ABC noted Catalano’s previous allegation of headbutting in 2018, which resulted in no charges being laid due to insufficient evidence
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The Guardian and NewsWire/AFR report Catalano said he would enter a rehab program, but the ABC and The Age describe this as a 'rehabilitation program' or 'rehab centre' without specifying the exact type
- The Age reports Catalano’s St Kilda penthouse was originally listed for $36 million and later reduced to $29.95 million, while the Guardian and ABC do not mention the original asking price or reduction
- The Guardian and ABC do not mention Catalano’s previous public altercation with Giovanni D’Ercole in Byron Bay, which The Age reports occurred in March 2023
- The Guardian and ABC do not reference Catalano’s business struggles with ACM and View Media Group due to a slump in advertising, which The Age highlights as a contributing factor to his stress
- The Guardian and NewsWire do not mention Catalano’s admission to a psychiatric ward in Byron Bay four weeks prior to the incident, which the ABC and The Age report
Source Articles
Newspaper boss Antony Catalano on leave after being charged, Australian Community Media says
ACM tells staff its chair and co-owner placed on leave of absence after arrest at apartment building Regional media boss Antony Catalano has been placed on leave after being charged in relation to “an alleged incident relating to a woman at an apartment”, his company has said in an email to staff. The co-owner and chair of the Australian Community Media newspaper chain faced a Melbourne court over the charges on Friday, the ABC first revealed. Continue reading...
Media boss stands down after shock charges
An Australian newspaper boss says he is “deeply ashamed” as he stands down from his role following an alleged incident with a woman.
Media boss vows to enter rehab following Melbourne assault charge
Australian Community Media executive Antony Catalano says he will check into a rehab program immediately after the alleged assault of a woman on Friday night.
ACM chairman Antony Catalano checking into rehab after assault charges
Prominent media owner Antony Catalano has apologised after he was charged with assault and accused of dragging a woman around an apartment by her hair and ankles.
Media figure Antony Catalano charged with assault
The co-owner of national newspaper company ACM appears in court, with police alleging he assaulted a woman and swung a clothes iron at her head.
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