Daryl Somers’ former business manager launches fresh legal action

The bad blood between Daryl Somers and his former business manager is about to get uglier with a spate of fresh claims coming to the surface.

Daryl Somers’ former business manager has hit back at the TV legend and is launching fresh action against Somers’ wife Julie.

Somers filed a writ to court earlier this month to sue Alex Mathey for what he called a “defamatory matter”.

The former Hey Hey It’s Saturday host and triple Gold Logie winner is heading for a Supreme Court showdown, seeking a permanent injunction restraining Mr Mathey from “further publishing, ­republishing or causing to be published or republished” the material.

Mr Mathey, who claims not to be aware of any legal action, had alleged in June last year he was treated “appallingly” by Somers, 69, and his wife Julie while working for them as chief executive and group legal counsel.

In a statement seen by the Herald Sun on Thursday, he has claimed there was a “substantial settlement” reached in December last year with a WorkCover over a claim for serious injuries he alleges were sustained during his employment at Somers Group.

Mr Mathey states he has now commenced separate proceedings against Mrs Somers “to address, among other things, alleged breaches of trust and a claim over a transfer of land and to recover unpaid costs and fees”.

“He will strenuously defend any such proceedings should they proceed,’’ a statement from Mr Mathey’s spokesperson read.

Daryl Somers and wife Julie de Costa.

According to court documents, on June 16 last year Mr Mathey published an extensive statement online under the title “Dispute with Daryl Somers, Julie Somers and Somers Group Australia”, claiming his relationship with them “has devolved into a protracted and rather nasty dispute”.

“I consider that the Somers have treated me appallingly,” Mr Mathey said.

He said he had sought legal advice on claims of breaches of contract and good faith; and negligent acts and omissions resulting in serious and ongoing personal injury.

“Despite my best efforts and intentions along with those of my legal team, the Somers have been unwilling and unable to even listen to and acknowledge my concerns, let alone entertain any sensible, reasonable or fair resolution to address them,” he said.

“I fully intend to hold the Somers to account and deal with the matters once and for all.”

At the time the statement was released, Somers and his wife hit back, saying the allegations were “utterly false”.

“The allegations which have been reported are utterly false and without foundation,” they said in June last year. “We are obtaining legal advice.”

Somers, in the court documents filed earlier this month, stated he and his wife “claim damages and consequential relief against the defendant for defamation arising out of the publication (of the statement)”.

In a statement provided to the Herald Sun, the Somers said they were aware of comments “circulated by a former employee”.

“Except to say that the statement contains factual errors and makes allegations against us which are completely without foundation, it is otherwise inappropriate for us to make any further comment about matters which are before the courts,” the statement said.