Antony Catalano, co-owner and chairman of Australian Community Media, has been charged with assaulting a woman.
Police allege that Catalano dragged the woman through an apartment and swung a clothes iron at her head.
The woman suffered a fractured tailbone and was hospitalised on Friday after the alleged assault, the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court heard. Catalano also faces false imprisonment and making threats to kill.
He was granted bail on Friday night after facing court via video link from a Melbourne police station.
Magistrate Rohan Lawrence described the evidence in the case as “relatively strong”.
They added a jail term was possible if the charges were proved. Catalano was not required to enter a plea, given the early stage of the case.
As reported by the ABC, an officer told the court Catalano had been experiencing “recent mental health issues” and was admitted to a psychiatric ward four weeks ago after using drugs.
“It is believed approximately three days ago at his property in Byron Bay, the accused himself called police because he believed he was seeing people emerging from the woodworks around his property,” the officer testified.
Catalano, known colloquially as ‘The Cat’ is a former journalist-turned-executive. Previously, he had been in charge of property listings company Domain. In 2019, he purchased ACM in a $115 million. ACM is the publisher of major regional mastheads including the Canberra Times and the Newcastle Herald.
ACM sent an email to staff on Saturday, telling them Catalano had been stood down as chairman of ACM and View Media Group (VGM).
In the email, ACM’s managing director Tony Kendall said parent company 20 Cashews Pty Ltd had placed Catalano on “an immediate leave of absence until this matter is resolved”.
“I understand that our staff may be concerned and distressed by this news,” he said.
“At both ACM and VMG, we are committed to maintaining a safe, respectful and inclusive environment.
“Please be assured that the executive leadership teams are focused on upholding our company’s values.”
In a statement, ACM told B&T: “The board and executive leadership team of ACM are shocked and deeply concerned by the serious allegations regarding executive chairman Antony Catalano, who is now on an extended leave of absence.
“Mr Catalano is facing charges involving alleged violence towards a woman. While these are allegations that will be determined by the court, violence against women is entirely against the values of our company and our mastheads.
“Mr Catalano’s absence will not affect the day-to-day running of ACM. As executive chair his role is not operational. ACM has a capable and experienced management team that is committed to the continuity and stability of the business and to its standards of safety, respect, integrity and inclusion.
“ACM’s mastheads have a long and proud history of upholding the values of the audiences they represent. They are a trusted voice in keeping our communities strong, informed and connected. That will not change.
“We acknowledge Mr Catalano’s statement about his health. However, the company’s first priority is the wellbeing of its people. We understand that the allegations will be distressing and confronting for ACM staff. We will be working to ensure that all employees are supported and heard, and that our business continues to serve our audiences and customers around Australia.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected by this matter.”
Antony Catalano’s wife Stepanie gave a short statement to The Age: “I’m really not ready. I’m dealing with a lot right now with my family,” adding that she did not wish to make a further comment on the matter.
The alleged victim of Catalano’s actions on Friday has not been identified.
“I am deeply ashamed and humiliated,” Antony Catalano said in a statement. The father of nine is stepping aside from all professional obligations for at least six months.
The Australian has also reported historical domestic violence accusations from Catalano’s wife Stefanie.
The News Australia title reported that in 2018 Catalano “repeatedly bashed his wife Stefanie’s head against a taxi window when she was pregnant, headbutted her at their marital home, and violently assaulted her on another occasion”.
The Australian noted that it was not suggesting the claims from 2018 are true, only that Ms Catalano made them at the time. Mr Catalano was never charged and The Australian did not suggest he has committed an offence. When reached by The Australian, a spokesperson representing both Mr and Ms Catalano declined to comment on the 2018 allegations.
Catalano’s View Media Group is an investor in many other businesses, including Beevo, TRAVLR and Propic. Beevo told B&T that it operates independently of View Media Group and it has never held and does not currently hold a board seat in Beevo. TRAVLR told B&T that Catalano has never been involved in the business, and he has no role in TRAVLR to any degree. Propic told B&T it operates independently with its own management team and board, and VMG does not have representation on the Propic board and would not be making further comment.
