Australian Community Media co-owner and executive chairman Antony Catalano has been put on immediate leave after appearing in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on charges of assault, false imprisonment and making threats to kill.
Catalano was granted bail on Friday night after the court hearing. He was not required to enter a plea at this stage.
The case is about an alleged incident involving a woman at an apartment in Melbourne. Police told the court the woman was taken to hospital after the alleged assault and suffered a fractured coccyx.
During the bail hearing, police said Catalano dragged the woman through the apartment and held a clothes iron near her head. His barrister said there was no doubt physical contact happened but argued there were still questions about exactly what took place.
In an email to staff on Saturday, ACM managing director Tony Kendall said the boards of 20 Cashews Pty Ltd which owns ACM and View Media Group had placed Catalano on leave until the matter is resolved.
Kendall said staff may be concerned by the news and said the company remained committed to a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace.
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The company has said it will make no further comment while the matter is before the courts.
Catalano is one of the best known figures in Australian media and property publishing. He bought ACM in 2019 and helped lead the regional publisher after a long career that included senior roles at Fairfax and Domain.
The magistrate said the evidence appeared relatively strong and warned a jail term was possible if the charges were proved. Police had opposed bail but Catalano was released under conditions. The matter has been adjourned until May 11.
