Geelong CEO Ali Wastie asks for intervention order against John Verikios

A property owner sent “abhorrent” messages to female council staff – including the boss of City Hall – over plans for Pakington St.

Geelong City Hall cheif-executive Ali Wastie and property owner John Verikios arriving at Geelong Magistrates Court on 29/07.

City Hall boss Ali Wastie has launched legal action against a disgruntled property owner after he sent a string of highly abusive messages to her and other female staff.

Ms Wastie and two other council officers, who the Addy has chosen not to name, fronted the Geelong Magistrates Court on Monday.

They had each applied for a personal safety intervention order (PSIO) against property owner John Verikios.

The court heard Mr Verikios sent threatening and abusive messages to the three women in June.

Two of the three, including Ms Wastie, were contacted on their work mobiles.

It’s understood the messages came after Geelong council adopted the Pakingston St North urban design framework (UDF) in late May.

Mr Verikios is a property owner within the precinct, where the land was limited to a maximum of four storeys – the properties directly opposite can reach six storeys.

In one case, Mr Verikios sent a message to one of the officers’ personal Facebook account, calling her a “useless c---”.

Geelong council CEO Ali Wastie arrives at Geelong Law Courts. Picture: Brad Fleet

He sent a threatening text to another officer at 10.33pm at night, telling her: “I won’t be forgetting about you, you c---”.

Mr Verikios’ lawyer, Pat Byrne, told the court his client accepted his conduct was unacceptable, but said the applications for PSIOs were “without merit”.

“(Mr Verikios’) view (of his behaviour) sitting here today, is it is abhorrent, it’s despicable,” Mr Byrne said, adding Mr Verikios was “completely ashamed” and it had been a “wake-up call”.

He characterised the outburst as “frustration” after learning the outcome of the seven-year-long UDF scheme, but said it did not amount to a course of conduct.

Mr Byrne argued the conduct did not warrant court orders, in part because the behaviour would not be repeated – a key fact in determining whether a PSIO is necessary.

Judicial registrar Michael Bolte, who presided over the hearing, criticised Mr Verikios’ “entitled” behaviour and the “abhorrent” language he used.

In the case of the Facebook message, Mr Bolte asked how anyone could not feel “apprehension and concern” in the situation.

John Verikios arrives at Geelong Law Courts

“It’s a personal Facebook account, he’s gone out of his way to trace it and he’s gone out of his way to intimidate someone with that language,” Mr Bolte said.

Mr Bryne submitted that Mr Verikios accepted the message was “most unwarranted” but said it “would not amount to a serious threat”.

Ms Wastie told the court she had “never received a text of this nature” in all her career in local government, and said she was “fearful” of Mr Verikios, noting the use of gendered language.

“I was appalled and I just feel the anger and the vitriol towards me, in a personal capacity,” Ms Wastie said.

Mr Bolte told the applicants they still had to prove a number of factors under the legislation in order for the court to grant a PSIO.

The matter was stood the matter down so discussions could take place between the parties.

The three applications ultimately were withdrawn after the officers agreed to let Mr Verikios enter an undertaking – a promise to the court to do or not do certain things.

Mr Verikios was contacted for comment and said he had been advised not to.

Originally published as Geelong CEO Ali Wastie asks for intervention order against John Verikios