Media Executive Antony Catalano Charged with Assault, False Imprisonment, and Death Threats

Antony Catalano, a 59-year-old media executive and co-owner of Australian Community Media (ACM), was arrested on March 13 and charged with assault, false imprisonment, and making threats to kill. The charges stem from an alleged incident involving his wife, Stefanie Catalano, at their St Kilda apartment in the early hours of March 13.

He was granted bail by the Magistrates' Court of Victoria following a hearing on March 13 and is scheduled to appear in court again on May 11. He has not yet entered a plea.

Incident and Arrest

According to police allegations presented during the bail hearing, the incident began around 12:30 a.m. when Mr. Catalano approached his wife while she was in bed and began shouting. Police allege he demanded her phone and then physically grabbed her.

Police state that Mr. Catalano is alleged to have dragged her by her hair and ankles through the apartment and into a laundry area, where he took a clothes iron and held it toward her head.

Police state that Ms. Catalano briefly escaped the apartment but was dragged back inside by her hair. During the alleged incident, Mr. Catalano is reported to have said, "If you scream one more time, I'll stab you to death." The alleged incident is said to have lasted approximately one hour. Neighbors reportedly called police after hearing screaming.

A 27-second audio recording from a neighboring apartment allegedly captured screaming and Ms. Catalano saying "let me go" multiple times.

Police state they have CCTV footage from inside the apartment and common areas, which they allege shows parts of the incident. Police officers described the footage as showing Mr. Catalano swinging the iron with force. Police also report that Ms. Catalano grabbed Mr. Catalano's underwear during the incident, which police said was intended to leave evidence.

Ms. Catalano eventually fled the apartment, ran onto the road, and flagged down a passing vehicle to leave the area. She was subsequently hospitalized and sustained a fractured coccyx. Mr. Catalano was arrested later that day in the nearby suburb of Hampton. Police reported he was wearing underwear that appeared torn.

Bail Hearing and Legal Proceedings

During the bail hearing on March 13, Senior Constable Kiran Paramaguru presented the police's account of the alleged incident. Police opposed bail, arguing Mr. Catalano was a flight risk due to his significant financial resources and social connections.

Police noted Mr. Catalano had allegedly been abusing alcohol and cocaine, had recently spent time in a psychiatric facility, and had a history of drug-induced psychosis.

They also stated Mr. Catalano had called police days earlier from his Byron Bay property, reporting he believed people were coming out of the "woodwork" at his home.

Mr. Catalano's defense barrister, Jason Gullaci SC, argued against the flight risk assessment, citing Mr. Catalano's significant ties to Australia, including nine children and multiple properties. He noted that Mr. Catalano had no prior convictions or history of failing to comply with court orders.

The defense stated that the remand summary did not reference the iron being swung at the complainant and suggested this detail was first mentioned during the bail application. Mr. Gullaci stated there were "triable issues" regarding how the incident started and "whether the complainant was an active participant in it." The defense suggested the complainant returned home two hours after Mr. Catalano and that a verbal argument may have occurred first.

Magistrate Rohan Lawrence granted bail, citing Mr. Catalano's lack of prior convictions and potential legal delays. He rejected the suggestion that Mr. Catalano was a flight risk. The magistrate described the alleged offending as "serious" and "protracted," noting that Mr. Catalano could face jail time if found guilty. Bail conditions require Mr. Catalano to remain in Victoria.

Background and Related Incidents

The court was informed that Ms. Catalano made a police complaint against her husband in 2018, alleging he punched and headbutted her. That case did not proceed due to what was described as insufficient evidence.

Court documents also presented information about Mr. Catalano's professional background. He began his career as a police reporter for The Age newspaper, helped start the real estate company Domain, and in 2019 purchased ACM for $115 million.

Reports from current and former associates indicate that Mr. Catalano's behavior had been described as increasingly erratic, citing an alleged altercation at his Byron Bay hotel and a separate confrontation over a parking space.

Corporate and Professional Impact

Following his arrest, Mr. Catalano was stood down from his role at Australian Community Media (ACM). In a statement, he said he was "deeply ashamed and humiliated" and that he had checked himself into a rehabilitation center. He subsequently announced a six-month leave of absence from all professional responsibilities to focus on treatment and recovery. Mr. Catalano later resigned from his position as executive chairman of ACM.

ACM's board and executive leadership issued a statement expressing concern over the allegations, stating that violence against women is against the company's values. ACM managing director Tony Kendall communicated to employees that Mr. Catalano had been placed on an immediate leave of absence until the matter is resolved.

Investor Alex Waislitz, who partnered with Catalano to acquire ACM, described the allegations as "confronting and concerning" and stated that staff would be "supported and heard."

Financing for Mr. Catalano's luxury apartment development project, Bonobo by Raes in Byron Bay, was withdrawn following the allegations. His son, Jordan Catalano, has been negotiating with a new financial backer for the $112 million project. Mr. Catalano has been removed from several corporate registers, with new directors appointed to various businesses, including Kirant Property Pty Ltd and Jonson Street By Raes Pty Ltd.

Mr. Catalano's six-bedroom penthouse in St Kilda, previously listed for sale, was withdrawn from the market following the charges. It was later re-listed for $29.95 million. His $9.25 million penthouse on Mount Buller also remains on the market.

Additional Allegations and Future Proceedings

Following his arrest, reports emerged detailing prior allegations of workplace misconduct during Mr. Catalano's tenure as CEO of Domain, including claims of a "boys' club" culture and drug use at company events. These allegations were reported to have been raised with the Domain board in 2017. Mr. Catalano resigned as CEO of Domain in January 2018.

Mr. Catalano also accused a News Corp journalist of breaching his privacy while both were patients at the same rehabilitation facility. News Corp denied the allegations, stating the journalist was seeking treatment and was not working.

Mr. Catalano is scheduled to return to the Magistrates' Court of Victoria on May 11.