The Castle star Costas Kilias latest magistrate linked to court clerk
The Castle star-turned-magistrate Costas Kilias was romantically involved with Victoria’s loved-up court clerk while she juggled a sexual relationship with another magistrate 45-years her senior. Angry staff fear the courts now resemble a “frat house”.
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A court clerk controversially engaged to a magistrate was romantically involved with one his colleagues, a star of The Castle.
The Herald Sun can reveal loved up court clerk Ashleigh Petrie, 23, had a relationship with high-profile magistrate Costas Kilias, 59, for more than a month before she started formally dating magistrate Rod Higgins earlier this year.
She was in a sexual relationship with Mr Higgins at the time, which started while they were still both in long term relationships.
Ms Petrie confirmed the relationship when contacted by the Herald Sun. But she refused to comment further.
While the Herald Sun is not alleging the relationship with Mr Kilias was in any way inappropriate court sources have revealed it sparked concern among senior staff.
Chief Magistrate Peter Lauritsen, who has repeatedly refused to comment on relationships between magistrates and clerks in his court, spoke with Mr Kilias about the relationship.
Mr Kilias was the third magistrate to be spoken to by court officials over concerns about their dealings with younger clerks.
Court staff are said to be angry at the conduct of the magistrates.
“It’s making us look like a frat house,” one senior staff member said.
While Mr Lauritsen has publicly stated he “has no comment on the personal lives of magistrates or staff”, it is now known he has privately intervened in the affairs of his staff on at least two occasions.
It is understood he raised concerns that rumours were spreading about how much time Mr Kilias was spending with Ms Petrie, and warned him to be careful carrying on a relationship with her.
He gave a similar warning to Mr Higgins after learning that Ms Petrie had been involved in a security incident at Crown casino in which she yelled at staff “my husband is a magistrate”.
A court source said the relationship between Mr Kilias and Ms Petrie was kept secret within the court building, but was known in wider legal circles as the pair would socialise together.
Last week the Herald Sun revealed another magistrate was questioned over stunning claims of an X-rated romp with a young clerk inside a Melbourne courtroom.
The Children’s Court of Victoria was forced to investigate after a clerk boasted to friends that she had been intimate with a magistrate in a courtroom and also in another magistrate’s chambers.
The matter was referred to court management and prompted an inquiry during which the clerk and magistrate were each questioned.
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They both denied they were in a relationship or had been involved in any inappropriate conduct.
Mr Kilias was appointed as a magistrate last year after spending almost 30 years as a barrister.
He is best known though for his role in Australian movie history, as Darryl Kerrigan’s Beirut-born neighbour Farouk in The Castle.
He also has a string of Aussie TV and film credits to his name including Blue Heelers, The Wog Boy, SeaChange and Fat Tony & Co.
Both the chief magistrate and Mr Kilias refused requests for comment.