Dr Peter Alexakis will inherit $24 million left to him by a patient after winning a long-running court battle against The Salvation Army and the deceased man’s ex-business partner and friends.
Alexakis, a doctor from the Sydney suburb of Strathfield, denied in the NSW Supreme Court accusations of committing “fraud” and exerting undue “influence” on his 83-year-old patient Raymond McClure.
According to The Daily Telegraph, McClure had written two wills months before he died of cancer in 2017 that left the doctor most of his $27 million estate.
Earlier versions of McClure’s will left most of his wealth to his 40-year business partner Frank Camilleri, long-time friend Hildegard Schwanke and her family, and The Salvation Army.
On Tuesday, May 16, Judge Patricia Henry found there was no evidence to sustain allegations of fraud and undue influence made by the previous major beneficiaries, who challenged the validity of the wills.
The court heard Dr Alexakis formed a close bond with McClure and made regular hospital visits and 92 visits to his home from June to October in 2017.
Judge Henry ruled the wills were valid, paving the way for Dr Alexakis to collect the money.
Mr Camilleri has launched a separate case against Dr Alexakis in the NSW Supreme Court in an attempt to prevent him from getting the estate. Dr Alexakis is contesting that case, too.
Source: The Daily Telegraph
