Carlo Paul Massetti, a five time lotto winner, lands in court for drink driving
Carlo Paul Massetti has scooped more than $2.5 million in lotto winnings. But a Gold Coast court gave him a reduced fine for drink driving and urinating next to his car. Here’s why.
Police & Courts
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CARLO Paul Massetti received a reduced fine for drink driving and urinating next to his car because he had a “limited income”.
What the magistrate did not know was that the former funeral director was a five-time lottery winner who netted more than $2.5 million.
Massetti came to public prominence in 2018 when on May 7 he won Lotto’s $1 million division-one prize. Five days later picked up another $1.457 million.
Massetti was on his own when he faced court Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday and did not hire a lawyer to defend him.
The 49-year-old was wearing a tailored blue suit and a moon boot. His one visible sock had a banana print.
Police prosecutor Madeleine Bowater said police were patrolling Clifford St, Surfers Paradise about 11.45pm on June 30 this year when they saw a car parked on the side of the road with the engine running.
“They observed a male on the side of the road urinating,” she said.
Ms Bowater said Massetti was taken to the police station where he blew a blood alcohol reading of 0.139 per cent.
Massetti told the court: “It was the wrong thing to do and I am obviously very remorseful.
“I realise it was the wrong thing to do.”
Magistrate Grace Kahlert asked Massetti what he did for work.
“I don’t need to work,” he said.
“I haven’t been well enough.”
He told the court he was a funeral director by trade and was able to donate $50,000 to a hospital “a few years ago”.
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Magistrate Kahlert asked Massetti if he was living off his savings.
Massetti nodded.
Magistrate Kahlert said: “Noting that you have limited income I have reduced your fine to $600.”
The maximum fine for middle range drink driving is $2277.90.
She also disqualified him from driving for four months.
Massetti made a phone call as he left the courtroom.
When asked if he wanted to say anything he told the Bulletin: “No comment.”
He walked towards the tram stop.
In November last year, Massetti had a number of domestic violence charges against him in Sydney dropped when his partner did not appear as a witness.
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