Australian Community Media will hold a staff meeting on Monday afternoon to share the regional media group’s response to the arrest of its co-owner Antony Catalano, who faces charges of assaulting a woman.
On Sunday, ACM’s board of directors and executive leadership team distanced themselves from the 59-year-old newspaper magnate and said they were “shocked and deeply concerned” by the charges.
According to an ABC report, the police summary of charges read in court said Catalano dragged the woman around her apartment by her hair and ankles on Friday night, resulting in her hospitalization for a fractured tailbone.
“The accused dragged the victim to the laundry area, where he grabbed a clothes iron and brought it closer to the victim’s head, causing the victim to grab onto the iron,” police told the court, according to ABC.
ACM staff were invited to the town hall at 3 pm via Zoom, billed as an “update on ACM’s position regarding Antony Catalano.”
The company, which publishes 16 newspapers including the Canberra Times, Illawarra Mercury and Bendigo Advertiser, as well as 55 agricultural and non-daily brands such as Land, was bought in 2019 by Catalano and investor Alex Waislitz.
“Mr. Catalano faces charges of alleged violence toward a woman,” ACM said Sunday. “While these are accusations that will be determined by the court, violence against women goes completely against the values of our company and our headquarters.”
The chief executive was placed on leave after he was charged on Friday night and granted bail.
“As CEO, his role is non-operational,” the statement said. “ACM has a capable and experienced management team that is committed to business continuity and stability and its standards of safety, respect, integrity and inclusion.
“ACM’s mastheads have a long and proud history of standing up for the values of the audiences they represent. They are a trusted voice in keeping our communities strong, informed and connected. That won’t change.”
Catalano issued a statement acknowledging the charges and his appearance in Melbourne Magistrates Court. “I am deeply ashamed and humiliated,” he said.
“I know that my actions have caused pain and concern to others, including the woman involved, my family, my friends, my colleagues and the many people associated with the companies I have had the privilege of leading.
“I have been struggling with significant mental health and substance abuse issues. People close to me have been urging me to seek professional help for some time and there have been interventions from family and close friends.”
The company said it acknowledged Catalano’s statement about his health, but said the company’s “first priority is the well-being of its people.”
“We understand that the allegations will be distressing and confronting for ACM staff. We will work to ensure that all employees are supported and heard, and that our business continues to serve our audiences and customers across Australia.”
Catalano has taken a six-month leave of absence and has checked into a rehabilitation center.
Catalano, a former real estate journalist, built Fairfax’s Domain real estate pages into a thriving profit center before leaving the company to create his own successful real estate magazine and then returning to Fairfax to steer Domain through a $2.3 billion float.
It bought ACM, the former Fairfax regional newspapers, in 2019 for $115 million.
