Strathfield GP, Dr Peter Alexakis was victorious in the NSW Court of Appeal on May 22 which ruled that he had not applied undue influence to convince patient, Raymond McClure to leave him the majority of his $24 million estate.
McClure died from cancer in November 2017, at 84, leaving an estate worth roughly $27 million, which included a Strathfield home worth close to $3 million. He made six wills in total months before he died with the final one leaving Alexakis 90 per cent of his estate.
Despite being found guilty of malpractice for being too close to McClure, Alexakis won a Supreme Court challenge by the Salvation Army, McClure’s business partner and friend in 2023 to have the final will ruled invalid.
On Wednesday, May 22, a three-judge panel of the NSW Court of Appeal again ruled in favour of Alexakis, paving the way for him to inherit McClure’s fortune.
The judges dismissed five grounds of appeal including findings that Alexakis, whose wife owns an $8 million Vaucluse mansion, did not commit fraud or exert undue influence over McClure who was in poor health. However, the judges also ruled that the legal costs for the appeal were to be paid out of McClure’s estate.
When approached by A Current Affair after a shift at his clinic, Alexakis denied being too close to his patient prior to his death.
“Will you be giving some of this money to the Salvos? They were the main beneficiary before he changed his will,” A Current Affair asked.
“I’m not really able to discuss that with you,” Alexakis responded.
Source: The Daily Telegraph and 9Now
