Former Carlton Executive Faces Lawsuit Over Inappropriate Photo
Cate Sayers, the estranged wife of former Carlton Football Club president Luke Sayers, has initiated a defamation lawsuit against him. This legal action follows an online incident in which an inappropriate photograph was posted on Luke’s X account, stirring controversy over a year ago.
Background of the Case
The incident occurred on January 8, 2022, when an explicit image was shared through Luke Sayers’ social media account. Reports from both the Herald Sun and the Australian Financial Review revealed that Cate has claimed her husband falsely attributed blame to her regarding the explicit post. Additionally, she alleges that he made damaging assertions about her mental health.
Details of the Allegations
According to a statement from Cate Sayers’ spokesman, proceedings have been filed in the Supreme Court of Victoria. “As the matter is now before the court, it would be inappropriate to comment further,” the spokesman stated.
After the infamous post, which mentioned a senior female executive from a significant Blues corporate partner, Luke Sayers expressed that his account had been hacked. In the wake of the incident, he deleted the tweet and issued a statement advising followers to disregard all posts from his account. Subsequently, he deactivated his social media account.
Consequences and Investigations
Shortly after the controversy, Luke Sayers resigned from his position at Carlton, expressing his deep regret over the impact the incident had on his family, friends, colleagues, and the club itself. The Australian Football League (AFL) and Carlton conducted thorough investigations into the matter.
AFL’s Findings
The AFL’s Integrity Unit concluded that Luke Sayers’ account had been compromised at the time of the offensive posting. An official statement from the league confirmed that the inquiries included multiple interviews and evidence reviews.
- The AFL found that the account hacking was responsible for the post, which was not authored by Luke Sayers.
- Mr. Sayers took immediate action to remove the image and deactivate his account upon being made aware of the situation.
- The AFL expressed gratitude to the executive unintentionally tagged in the post for her cooperation during the investigation.
Ultimately, the AFL determined that Luke Sayers did not violate any league rules in connection with the posting incident.
Conclusion
The ongoing legal battle casts a shadow over the events that unfolded last year. As both parties navigate the legal process, the implications of this lawsuit and its aftermath remain to be seen.
