Ex-Tour Down Under boss Mike Turtur receives ‘unreserved apology’ from Francene Connor after suing for defamation
Ex-Tour Down Under boss Mike Turtur has received an “unreserved apology” from a prominent marketing executive who allegedly defamed him on Facebook – but the case is still heading to court this month.
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An Adelaide marketing identity has issued an “unreserved” social media apology to ex-Tour Down Under boss Mike Turtur for causing him “distress and embarrassment”.
In a post on her personal Facebook page, Francene Connor also says Mr Turtur should be “applauded” for his contributions to both cycling and the state’s economy.
The apology comes almost two months after Mr Turtur filed a District Court defamation lawsuit against Ms Connor, asserting she had falsely accused him of being a “pretender”.
Mr Turtur further asserted an earlier Facebook post by Ms Connor had maliciously accused him of stealing the credit for the multimillion-dollar event from a dead man.
In her new post, Ms Connor references that earlier entry saying she published comments “concerning the Tour Down Under” including “a reference to Mike Turtur”.
“I acknowledge that Mike Turtur has made a significant contribution in the establishment and highly successful running of the Tour Down Under for over 20 years,” she writes.
“(I acknowledge) that he should be applauded for the contribution he has made to cycling and the South Australian economy.
“Insofar as my post may have been interpreted by anyone as suggesting otherwise, I wholly accept that as incorrect. To the extent that my post caused Mike Turtur distress and embarrassment, I apologise unreservedly to him.”
In his lawsuit, Mr Turtur asked the court to order Ms Connor pay aggravated damages for having defamed his character online.
She had, he asserted, “improper motives” and “ulterior purposes” when she claimed the TDU had actually been conceived by the late David McFarlane, of SA Major Events.
Mr Turtur asserts she further defamed him by claiming he stayed silent to “maintain the lie” and “ensured no credit was given” to anyone but himself.
In addition, he asserted Ms Connor falsely accused him of being “arrogant, dismissive, demeaning and unacceptably rude” toward local mayors and race volunteers.
Mr Turtur asserted those attacks damaged his chances of remaining TDU Director – a role from which he stepped down in January.
He further asserted the comments exposed him to “odium, scandal and contempt”.
Following the filing of the lawsuit, Ms Connor declined to publicly comment because “the matter is before the courts”.
“I will be vigorously defending myself in this matter,” she said at the time.
On Friday, Ms Connor again declined to comment.
A check of the District Court registry shows Mr Turtur’s lawsuit remains active, and that Ms Connor has filed defence papers.
The matter is listed for hearing on July 14.
