Dean Hurlston is not normally one for apologies. Many in local government have felt the sting of his work as the force behind the Council Watch Victoria Inc website and Facebook page.

His forthright commentary propelled him to become something of a Mr Rent-a-quote on council matters. Think of a local government version of Dick Smith, but nastier.

But what Hurlston maintained was political commentary others labelled “conduct intended to harm, intimidate or harass under the guise of commentary”. In June, Stonnington Mayor Melina Sehr was granted a two-year personal safety intervention order against him.

Magistrate Michelle Hodgson found “the gendered and personal undertones” of Hurlston’s posts and text messages to Sehr had “crossed the line from fair commentary into targeted ridicule” that he maliciously knew caused mental harm. Hurlston is appealing.

Then in August, ex-Stonnington mayor Jami Klisaris filed a defamation writ in the County Court, saying Hurlston and Council Watch had persistently and unreasonably abused her.

Hurlston is partner to Joe Gianfriddo, another former mayor of the council centred on Malvern, whom Kilsaris defeated at the 2024 election.

Court documents state that during the election Hurlston and Council Watch used an X account and Facebook to publish posts and ads containing “persistent and baseless allegations of corruption” and “posting manipulated images of Ms Klisaris’ face on the body of animals”.

Hurlston denied the allegations in his defence document, saying they were embarrassing and liable to be struck out as irrelevant.

A later X post alleged, according to court documents, that Klisaris had “touched Mr Gianfriddo on the upper thigh (next to his penis) on 6 (sic) occasions” while sitting next to him on a couch.

Klisaris later denied that allegation in a court document: “at no stage did the plaintiff (who had only 3 months earlier become happily married to her husband) make any physical contact with Mr Gianfriddo (who is a homosexual man considerably older than the plaintiff and who was one of her main political opponents on the council) … let alone sexually harass or assault Mr Gianfriddo.”

Now Hurlston and Klisaris have settled. Terms are undisclosed. Hurlston issued the following statement: “To the extent that I, (Dean Hurlston) have made statements about Cr Jami Klisaris that may have negatively impacted her reputation and standing within the community, I regret doing so. I wish to apologise for any such statements and withdraw them entirely. I wish to apologise for any distress caused to Cr Klisaris for the way these statements were made.”

Quite the climb down.

“I am very pleased that the matter has resolved,” Klisaris said. “I am very glad that this matter is behind me so I can continue to focus on the community.”

CBD reached out to Hurlston, who politely responded but then didn’t actually answer any questions.

Now his many friends in local government have taken to circulating a video showing Hurlston emptying bins at his place of employment, a local servo station.

Car trouble

Since losing a lengthy defamation case in the Federal Court in August, disgraced surgeon Munjed Al Muderis has become a Florida Man.

The once-celebrated doctor has a new job in West Palm Beach (right near Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, naturally), a new house featuring a man-made grotto, and – surprise! – new legal troubles.

Legal troubles are peak Florida. As CBD reported last month, Al Muderis was issued a ticket after driving his new Porsche at 69mph in a 40mph zone (about 110km/h in a 60km/h zone), and tried to present officers with an expired Australian licence.

According to court documents, he also tried to produce an Australian boating licence. Even in Florida, this did not fly.

Anyway, this latest legal trouble seems to have been sewn up quickly. After vowing to fight the speeding charge, Al Muderis last week pleaded no contest, accepting the US$278 ($418) fine.

All up, a dramatically speedier resolution than his legal troubles back home. In 2022, the doctor responded to stories published by this masthead and 60 Minutes revealing negligent operations by first launching legal action against Nine.

A protracted and expensive trial followed, which ended with a thudding loss for the surgeon. In dismissing his claim, Justice Wendy Abraham found the surgeon was dishonest and callous and prioritised fame and money over patient care.

The sides spent an estimated $19 million on the case, and Al Muderis is on the hook for Nine’s legal costs. He is seeking to appeal the Federal Court’s decision and is also battling several unrelated medical negligence lawsuits on the home front. Some guys just can’t get enough of lawyers and courtrooms.

CT’s Carswell coup

A bit of a coup for CT Group, the research and intelligence firm founded by John Howard’s electoral necromancer Sir Lynton Crosby. On Monday it announced the appointment of Andrew Carswell as senior director.

Carswell, a former News Corp scribe, is best known in political circles as former PM Scott Morrison’s press secretary.

“CT Group has a formidable track record of running winning campaigns globally,” Carswell said in a release.

“I look forward to working with the team in Australia and an ever-growing book of top-quality clients to develop strategies, shape narratives and deliver outcomes.”

Well, if you can handle ScoMo’s press, you can handle anything.

CT Group has traditionally had a close relationship with the Liberal Party, thanks in no small part to the Crosby of it all, and did polling during Morrison’s 2019 miracle election win.

The Liberals parted ways with CT Group after the firm angered some conservatives by helping the Yes team to failure during the 2023 Voice to parliament referendum.

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