Sydney investor Chris Nasser to defend AVO application brought on behalf of wife Hollie
A high society scandal involving a millionaire Sydney publican, his estranged wife and his former business partner is playing out in court.
The fallout of a high society scandal is playing out in court as a millionaire Sydney publican appeared for the first time to defend an application for an apprehended domestic violence order made on behalf of his estranged wife.
Police made an application for the ADVO against Paddington investor Chris “CJ” Nasser, 39, last month on behalf of his wife Hollie Nasser following a very public split after five years of marriage.
Ms Nasser, 36, is now in a relationship with her ex’s business partner Charlie Aitken after the finance manager and his lawyer-turned fashion designer wife Ellie ended their almost 20 years of marriage a few months ago.
Mr Nasser’s lawyer Justin Wong told the Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday that his client would “defend” the ADVO application.
“It’s to be defended,” he told deputy chief magistrate Michael Allen.
“We ask for time to take a look at the evidence,” he added.
Mr Nasser, who shares two young children aged 2 and 4 with Ms Nasser, previously vowed to “deny the allegations” related to the ADVO in a statement, calling them “totally baseless”.
An interim ADVO is in place, the conditions of which include Mr Nasser not assault, threaten, stalk or intimidate Ms Nasser.
An ADVO is not a criminal offence.
Mr Nasser was a founding investor in Mr Aitken’s investment business Aitken Investment Management (AIM). He reportedly resigned as a director of the AIM board following the breakdown of his marriage.
It has been reported that Ms Aitken, who co-founded AIM, also resigned as an executive of the business around the same time.
Tensions also boiled over between former best friends Ms Aitken and Ms Nasser on social media earlier this month when Ms Aitken shared screenshots of text messages between the pair.
“I can’t believe … you are out there playing the victim and saying I ruined your perfect marriage,” Ms Nasser wrote to Ms Aitken.
Police are to serve the brief of evidence on Mr Nasser by January 5.
The ADVO will return to court on January 19, and Mr Nasser will be excused from the court if legally represented on that day.