Disgraced former Sydney deputy mayor Salim Mehajer is threatening to sue a number of prominent media outlets in Australia’s ‘largest defamation case’.
The 31-year-old property developer has hired his sister, Sydney solicitor Zenah Osman, to represent him in the case which is seeking an extraordinary $103million in damages.
In a letter Ms Osman sent to Fairfax, which has not been named as a potential target in the lawsuit, Mr Mehajer outlines his personal reasons for bringing the action.
Disgraced former deputy mayor Salim Mehajer is threatening to sue a number of prominent media outlets in Australia’s ‘largest defamation case’
The 31-year-old property developer has hired his sister, Sydney solicitor Zenah Osman (pictured), to represent him in the case which is seeking $103 million in damages
‘Being in the media spotlight is tough and brutal. One must be very patient and enduring,’ the statement begins.
‘I let the media throw in all the punches for the past twenty months and watched my case build just like a business deal. I think now though, it has reached its peak and it’s time I commenced legal proceedings. All proceeds will be donated to charity.’
The largest defamation case in Australia’s history was that of actress Rebel Wilson’s suit against Bauer Media, with the Victorian Supreme Court awarding the Pitch Perfect star $4.56 million.
Ms Osman is looking to well and truly beat that record for her client Mr Mehajer and has outlined some of the main titles they plan to focus on.
The largest defamation case in Australia’s history was that of actress Rebel Wilson’s (pictured) suit against Bauer Media, with the Victorian Supreme Court awarding the Pitch Perfect star $4.56 million
Ms Osman is looking to well and truly beat that record for her client Mr Mehajer (pictured) and has outlined some of the main titles they plan to focus on.
‘Our client will be commencing legal action against, not limited to, Channel Seven, A Current Affair and The Daily Telegraph, which will be in our view Australia’s Largest Case of Defamation,’ the statement continued.
The legal action comes just a week after the former Auburn mayor was involved in a car accident which prevented him from attending the first day of his trial for allegedly assaulting a taxi driver.
The assault allegedly happened outside The Star casino on April 2 where it is alleged Mr Mehajer threw an eftpos machine at the driver’s face.
The legal action comes just a week after the former Auburn mayor was involved in a car accident which prevented him from attending the first day of his trial for allegedly assaulting a taxi driver
He was also charged with allegedly stealing a $1500 black iPhone from the driver and ‘intentionally destroying’ a second iPhone belonging to a casino worker.
Later that day the 31-year-old was charged with allegedly assaulting Channel Seven journalist Laura Banks when she got caught between a car door and the Porsche he was attempting to drive away in.
He was expected to face court for that charge on Wednesday, before the car crash.
Later that day the 31-year-old was charged with assaulting Channel Seven journalist Laura Banks (pictured) when she got caught between a car door and the Porsche he was attempting to drive away in
He was expected to face court for that charge on Wednesday, before the car crash (Laura Banks pictured)
Mr Mehajer was also a no-show at another District Court dispute, involving the stonemason behind the marble spiral staircase at his Lidcombe mansion.
He advised his solicitor he was in Canberra following the death of his grandmother at the time of that court appearance.
But judge ruled Mehajer would have had ‘no doubt’ of the hearing date and ruled for him to pay a bill of nearly $670,000 plus legal costs to the tradesman.
Mr Mehajer has pleaded not guilty to the assault charges.
In a letter Ms Osman sent to Fairfax, which have not been named as a potential target in the lawsuit, Mr Mehajer outlines his personal reasons for bringing the action