Melissa Caddick’s husband has denied ever lying about his wife’s disappearance but agreed at her inquest that his inconsistent statements were inaccurate and he had misdescribed events.
Anthony Koletti, appearing in the NSW Coroner’s Court, was taken to police statements, interviews, court documents and a $150,000 paid spot on 7News’ Spotlight program.
It details the moments after the last verified sighting of Caddick during a 12-hour search by the Australian Federal Police and the corporate watchdog on November 11, 2020.
The hairdresser and part-time DJ told a journalist he stayed up until 4am that night writing music, but on Tuesday he gave evidence that he had gone to bed with his wife before later getting up due to his sleep apnoea.
Conwoman Melissa Caddick (pictured) has been missing from her eastern Sydney home for almost two years
Counsel assisting Jason Downing SC said Mr Koletti was not giving honest answers and trying to ‘scramble, explain his answers’ to make them ‘gel’ in court.
‘That’s not correct, you are saying it in a way that’s confusing me,’ Mr Koletti said.
The court was also shown the news interview where Mr Koletti recounted the raid as ‘inhumane’, saying he and Ms Caddick were offered no food, water, medical or psychological attention.
Mr Koletti was asked if he meant that no one offered her medical attention throughout the day.
‘That’s right,’ he said, ‘I didn’t believe anyone there could offer it so I offered it myself.’
He was later asked if he was so concerned why not book a medical specialist himself.
‘All I could do was comfort her in the few hours I had left with her,’ Mr Koletti said.
Mr Downing said the details were ‘not minor’ and in connection with Ms Caddick’s disappearance.
‘You put down misdescribing everything that night because you were shaken and distraught,’ Mr Downing said.
‘I would say it’s not an accurate description,’ Mr Koletti said.
Melissa Caddick (pictured) was last seen in November 2020. The NSW Coroner’s Court is holding an inquest into her disappearance
Missing conwoman Melissa Caddick (left) is pictured with her husband Anthony Koletti (right)
He was also referred to previous police reports that he assumed she had gone out jogging because that was her daily routine.
On Tuesday he said she ‘had no habits’ and that she ‘used to do this, used to do that,’ including walking with friends outside or jogging inside on the treadmill.
A subsequent review of video records revealed Ms Caddick had not been jogging for weeks before she disappeared.
Mr Koletti maintains he had no inkling his wife was defrauding family and friends of millions of dollars, nor did he ask her why federal police or the Australian Securities and Investments Commission was suddenly searching their Sydney eastern suburbs home.
‘Does the truthful answer depend on who is asking it and why?’ Mr Downing said.
‘No,’ Mr Koletti replied.
Husband of Melissa Caddick, Anthony Koletti departs the inquest into her death at the Lidcombe Coroner’s Court in Sydney, Tuesday, September 27, 2022
Anthony Koletti (pictured right) appeared before an inquest into the disappearance of his wife Melissa Caddick (left) in November 2020
‘Are there many truths?’ Mr Downing said.
‘There is one truth,’ Mr Koletti said.
He said he has always been truthful but admitted there may have been moments when his ‘wires were crossed’ due to his concern and worry.
Throughout the day he observed his wife ‘a little bit shaky,’ and said she seemed distant and vague, so he offered to make her a coffee.
Mr Downing asked if at any point did Mr Koletti ask why ASIC was extensively searching through his wife’s business office and seizing hardware and valuable items.
Channel Seven reporter Michael Usher (left) is pictured interviewing Anthony Koletti (right)
Anthony Kolleti (pictured) has previously blamed the ASIC raid for his wife Melissa Caddick’s death
‘No I don’t believe I was really worried about that, at that point in time. I was just under the belief that she had done nothing wrong.’
Mr Koletti agreed the event was abnormal and quite shocking.
‘It was certainly a surprise to me,’ he said.
Mr Koletti reported the 49-year-old as missing around 30 hours after he says she walked out of their home for the last time on November 12, 2020 about 5.30am.
In February 2021 Ms Caddick’s decomposing foot encased in an Asics shoe washed ashore at Bournda Beach on the NSW south coast, about 400km south of Sydney.
The inquest continues.
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