PHOTO: AFL legend Anthony ‘Kouta’ Koutoufides and his wife Susie are accused of refusing to pay the final instalment on their multi-million dollar property
Former AFL legend and Dancing With The Stars champion, Anthony Koutoufides, is facing allegations of exploiting his fans in a contentious dispute with the builder of his lavish mansion. Referred to as ‘Kouta,’ the 50-year-old athlete has been criticized for withholding the final payment on his multi-million dollar property and changing the locks to prevent the builder’s access. Legal documents provided by both parties reveal the escalating feud.
AFL legend Anthony ‘Kouta’ Koutoufides and his wife Susie are accused of refusing to pay the final instalment on their multi-million dollar property
Koutoufides is a fitness guru and former Carlton superstar
Koutoufides, renowned for his AFL career in the ’90s and early 2000s, including a premiership-winning season with Carlton in 1995, has transitioned to reality television fame. However, the builder, choosing to remain anonymous, claims Koutoufides and his wife Susie, listed as the property owner, failed to provide any explanation for the outstanding payment, currently amounting to approximately $180,000.
Accused of leveraging his affiliation with Carlton, Koutoufides faces allegations of taking advantage of the builder’s support for the Blues. In response, Koutoufides and his legal team, led by Melbourne lawyers Olivia Terziovski and Imran Fatah, contest the claims. Fatah argues that construction delays, totaling six months, and identified defects have prompted the withholding of payment. Independent inspectors are assessing the issues, and the legal team is awaiting their reports to guide further actions.
Documents submitted to Fatah suggest that Koutoufides and his wife abruptly turned on the builders in October without prior indication of a dispute. The builder recounts an incident where, upon arrival at the property, Koutoufides allegedly informed him that the locks had been changed.
While the builder, fearing reprisals from Carlton fans, anticipates a legal battle in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Koutoufides’ legal team counters the accusations, filing a complaint with Master Builders Victoria against the builder and an employee. The builder’s representative alleges that Koutoufides and his wife severed communication and avoided mediation.
BEFORE: The block Kouta’s mansion was built on at Ivanhoe, north-east of Melbourne‘s CBD
AFTER: The completed Kouta mansion
Despite the conflicting accounts, both parties are preparing for legal proceedings, with Koutoufides and his wife considering defamation action against the builder. The dispute adds a contentious chapter to the post-football endeavors of the former AFL star, whose fame extends beyond the sports arena to reality television and business ventures.
SOURCE: THE DAILY MAIL