Fallen media mogul and accused spousal abuser Antony Catalano has called in lawyers claiming his privacy was breached while he was an inpatient at a rehabilitation facility alongside a News Corp reporter.
Catalano’s legal team has written to the Herald Sun, News Corp’s Melbourne publication, demanding it hand over all materials obtained by the journalist after it published a photograph of him outside the private clinic where he is receiving treatment for addiction and mental health issues.
The chair of Australian Community Media, who admitted himself to the private hospital after being charged with assaulting his wife, Stefanie, claims a journalist from the newspaper was secretly compiling information on his stay while also an inpatient at the same facility.
Catalano alleges the journalist, who this masthead has chosen not to name because of their ongoing health issues, also tipped off a photographer when the pair briefly left the hospital on April 13 on an approved trip to buy cigarettes at a nearby 7-Eleven.
The Herald Sun did not respond to specific questions by deadline but said the journalist had categorically played no part in the story or picture.
The photograph of Catalano – which the publication said showed him appearing gaunt and wearing a hooded puffer jacket – was published on the front page of the Herald Sun, while the tabloid newspaper avoided using images that identified its reporter.
The accused domestic abuser complained to the hospital, which told Catalano they had allegedly found the reporter – who was also a patient – with notes about him including information obtained during private conversations.
Among them were details which Catalano claims are confidential including about his wristwatch, plans to complete his rehabilitation at another facility and that he continued to wear a wedding ring, despite allegedly attacking his wife by pulling her by the hair and brandishing an iron at her.
None of those details was contained in the news report which was published under a separate reporter’s byline, and Catalano and his lawyers say he neither “confirms nor denies” the veracity of the information.
Catalano and his legal team allege that the hospital asked the journalist to leave the centre on April 15, and they were told not to return, according to a letter sent to Herald Sun editor Sam Weir on Wednesday evening.
“A person in Mr Catalano’s position would have a reasonable expectation of privacy, and where there is no countervailing public interest in information concerning Mr Catalano’s medical treatment that outweighs the public interest in Mr Catalano’s privacy when seeking confidential medical treatment,” the letter by Catalano’s lawyer Tony Hargreaves states.
The embattled media owner told this masthead he was extremely disappointed by the “gross invasion of privacy” which had a significant impact on other patients seeking help for addiction issues.
“I’m obviously addressing my own problems, but to be photographed while in rehab is an appalling breach of journalist ethics.
“While I’m not surprised by the media attention on me, the journalist and the Herald Sun should be ashamed of themselves for the distress and anxiety caused to 30 other patients at the hospital,” Catalano said.
“I’ll face the consequences of my actions and be accountable, but the Herald Sun and its reporter should be ashamed and embarrassed over their behaviour.”
On March 13, Catalano was charged with assault, false imprisonment and making threats to kill, after allegedly dragging his wife, Stefanie, through their luxury St Kilda penthouse and threatening her with a clothing iron.
The 59-year-old released a public statement a day after the alleged attack, conceding he was battling “significant mental health and substance abuse issues”, and would immediately check in to a rehabilitation program, while also taking leave from his role at ACM.
Catalano was admitted to the rehabilitation clinic, which specialises in addiction recovery on March 18, and says the Herald Sun journalist entered the facility on April 6.
The hospital did not respond to questions from The Age, but Catalano said they had apologised over the confidentiality breach.
The Herald Sun reporter did not respond to repeated requests for comment. This masthead also contacted the photographer in question who did not respond to questions.
During a late night bail hearing on March 13, Senior Constable Kiran Paramaguru opposed bail, telling the court CCTV allegedly showed Catalano brandish an iron above his wife after approaching her while she lay in bed.
Paramaguru said that about 12.30am, after returning home from a dinner, Catalano allegedly approached the complainant in a “severely drug-affected state” and began ranting about matters not pertaining to her, and demanded her phone.
He then allegedly grabbed her by the hair and ankles, and dragged her around the apartment before reaching the laundry, where she was captured on CCTV.
“The accused is fairly irate and seen reaching across the victim, grabbing an iron, and swings it at her with quite significant force. She feared it would be used against her to kill her,” the officer said.
Once the woman reached the outside elevator, she was allegedly dragged back inside, and a neighbour called police.
The woman managed to break free and ran out onto The Esplanade, where she flagged down a car and asked to be driven away, the court heard.
Stefanie Catalano later attended hospital, where she was treated for a fractured coccyx.
At the hearing, Catalano’s barrister Jason Gullaci, SC, denied his client was a flight risk. He said Catalano had significant business interests in Australia, starting out his career with The Age newspaper as a police reporter before helping start Domain, becoming involved in the acquisition of companies worth “millions” and, in 2018, purchasing ACM media for $115 million.
Magistrate Rohan Lawrence agreed bail was warranted and released Catalano with strict conditions including he remains in Victoria.
Catalano, who remains a rehab patient, will face his next court hearing on May 11.
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