Grocon CEO Daniel Grollo’s marriage another victim of construction giant’s collapse

The financial state of Daniel Grollo’s Grocon empire isn’t the only thing that’s in a mess — the CEO’s marriage has taken a tragic turn too.

Struggling Australian construction giant Grocon has claimed another victim – the marriage of CEO Daniel Grollo to wife Katherina.

It comes as the under-siege tycoon has claims from subcontractors demanding millions of dollars in unpaid bills.

Mr Grollo blames his financial failure on a legal battle with Infrastructure New South Wales, which he says owes him $270 million.

The beleaguered building boss said he has not been able to build a $1.4 billion apartment tower in Sydney because of a dispute over sightlines from Crown’s $2.2 billion casino at Barangaroo.

Crown and major shareholder James Packer are also under financial pressure over the landmark development and facing million-dollar penalties and the possible suspension or cancellation of its casino licence.

Daniel Grollo with his former wife Kat. Picture: Twitter/@KatGrollo

Mr Grollo’s companies have drowned in debt with up to $60 million owed to investors and subcontractors across the country.

Some individual contractors said they were owed $900,000 and were worried banks would knock on their door to repossess their homes before Christmas.

It can now be revealed Mr Grollo’s personal life is in as much of a mess as his business.

The Grollos’ decades-long marriage fell apart around the same time as the company collapsed.

The couple, who have two children, have split with sources revealing a divorce was finalised earlier this month.

Sources close to the couple said Katherina Grollo, known as Kat, is devastated following their marriage breakdown after 30 years.

Not one to seek the public eye spotlight, Kat has been seen around Melbourne delivering food to the homeless.

The marriage started unravelling after the Grollos returned to Melbourne from New York with one “bad decision, following another.”

Mr Grollo’s companies have drowned in debt with up to $60 million owed to investors and subcontractors across the country. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

Kat Grollo said she had no comment to make when spoken to by News Corp Australia and sources said he would never have a bad word to say about her now ex-husband, regardless of their separation.

Sources said a financial settlement had already been agreed.

A spokeswoman for Daniel Grollo said when asked about the divorce on Friday: “As discussed last week, Daniel does not talk about his private life.”

The spokeswoman said that no money from the Grocon businesses were included in a financial settlement with Mrs Grollo.

Some friends are worried about Mr Grollo’s health — a concern he dismissed.

When asked about his health last week he said he “wasn’t running as many marathons any more” but was “fine.”

Sources said the couple’s two apartments in Trump Tower in Manhattan had issues with subcontractors.

Mr Grollo declined to comment about the Trump and Eureka Tower issues when asked in emails. Picture: Supplied

There were also questions about the Grollos’ Eureka Tower apartment fit-out in Melbourne.

Mr Grollo declined to comment about the Trump and Eureka Tower issues when asked in emails.

Quizzed on whether he had split from the mother of his two children, he said he refused to discuss his family.

Grocon put 39 of its companies into administration on Friday, with Andrew Knight, Craig Shepard and Mark Korda of KordaMentha Restructuring appointed to pick over the business’ financials.

Companies linked to ongoing buildings projected were spared the axe.

“We understand that these projects will continue while the future of the Grocon Group is

Decided,” Mr Knight said.

“The Grocon companies involved in litigation with the NSW Government are also not in

Administration and remain in the control of Daniel Grollo.

“Our priority is to assess the business and begin to work towards finding the best outcome for all Stakeholders.”

A creditors meeting will be held on December 9.