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Stefanie Catalano, the wife of alleged domestic violence perpetrator Antony Catalano, has accused Victoria Police of seeking to “destroy” her millionaire businessman husband.
In an ethical standards complaint filed with the force, the mother of four said she believed the primary objective of authorities involved in her 59-year-old media proprietor husband’s assault case was to damage him.
“It was apparent from the time that I first engaged with police, with the benefit of hindsight, that their primary purpose was to destroy Antony,” Stefanie said in her official complaint, which was lodged late on Thursday.
“I have been embarrassed, humiliated, criticised and stalked,” her statement to police reads.
“My children have been exposed to having cameras in their faces by photographers hired by media organisations. Regardless of any view the police have of my husband, I have four children with him and five stepchildren.”
Stefanie’s intention to lodge her ethical standards complaint was first revealed by this masthead earlier this week.
A source close to Stefanie, but not authorised to comment publicly, confirmed that she had in early June filed a detailed “statement of no complaint” with Victoria Police concerning the alleged domestic violence incident at the couple’s luxury St Kilda penthouse in March.
The source also confirmed Stefanie would not give evidence in her husband’s court proceedings, which are set to resume in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in October.
Catalano is facing eight criminal charges including making threats to kill and false imprisonment.
Police allege that he swung a clothes iron at Stefanie’s head, unlawfully imprisoned her in the luxury apartment, threatened to stab her, and choked or strangled her. She was admitted to hospital with a fractured tailbone.
A bail hearing was told that parts of the incident had been captured on closed-circuit television cameras from the hallway and foyer of the apartment building.
But in her complaint, Stefanie says she believes matters alleged by police were “not accurate”.
“Matters in the summary that were put in the remand summary were not accurate and have been repeated over and over again,” the complaint says.
“The police did not give any thought to how this would affect me or my children, all of whom are minors.”
Stefanie Catalano’s lawyer, Sarah Pratt, said the police investigation had been carried out without regard for Stefanie or her children.
“The manner in which this investigation has been conducted is designed to humiliate Antony, without any regard to Stefanie and their family,” Pratt said.
“In my dealings with the matter, little to no regard seems to have been applied to the flow-on effects this highly publicised matter would have on Stefanie. She’s essentially had to duck and weave and outsource legal protection.”
After the criminal charges, Stefanie returned to the family home in Byron Bay while Antony entered a suburban Melbourne rehabilitation facility, saying he was “struggling with significant mental health and substance abuse issues”.
“I am deeply ashamed and humiliated,” he said in a statement at the time. “I know that my actions have caused hurt and concern for others, including the woman involved, my family, friends, colleagues and the many people connected to the businesses I have been privileged to lead.”
The couple have now reconciled and are undergoing counselling.
Since leaving the clinic, Catalano has appeared before the court only by video link, with his lawyer saying discussions with prosecutors in the case were ongoing.
Antony Catalano, a former journalist-turned businessman, owns regional and rural digital media empire Australian Community Media 50-50 with billionaire Alex Waislitz.
Following the alleged assault, Antony resigned all his corporate directorships in favour of his 35-year-old son, Jordan.
Victoria Police confirmed none of the charges against Antony Catalano had been dropped and that the matter would return to court as scheduled.
Catalano also owns a portfolio of residential and commercial real estate and hospitality assets in the NSW resort town of Byron Bay, as well as homes elsewhere in Australia and internationally.
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