Former South Australian minister Andrea Michaels is being sued for defamation by Melbourne billionaire Adrian Portelli over public comments she made about his “rewards club” lottery business, LMCT+.
The case, heard for the first time in the South Australian Supreme Court on Friday, June 12, centres on remarks Michaels made after a South Australian woman won a $3.5 million home through Portelli’s company but was later found to be ineligible under state gaming laws.
At the time, Michaels, then Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs, described the situation as “awful” and “terrible” during a media conference.
She was also quoted saying the business had “knowingly taken money from South Australians, knowing he wasn’t licensed to operate a lottery in SA.”
Portelli’s statement of claim alleges the comments implied he defrauded South Australians, acted as a con man, and knowingly ran unlicensed lotteries.
His lawyers argue the statements damaged his reputation and professional standing, and say he has received death threats and hostile online commentary as a result.
The filing also argues Michaels knew her comments would be widely published and trusted.
Social media posts cited in the claim include accusations such as “don’t buy any tickets from this scammer” and “I wouldn’t trust this guy from a bar of soap.”
Portelli’s lawyer said it would be inappropriate to comment further while proceedings were before the court, adding that “the material filed in the proceedings speak for themselves and my client looks forward to the matter being determined according to law.”
The legal action follows earlier proceedings in which LMCT+ was found guilty of running illegal lotteries and fined $40,000, while Portelli was found not guilty.
Source: ABC News
