Wild moment building company boss takes down reporter who confronted him over construction scandal

A controversial builder has clashed with a journalist who confronted him about why construction of his wife’s home continued while hundreds of clients were left with unfinished projects.

Veteran Seven News reporter Geof Parry approached Nicheliving director Ronnie Michel-Elhaj outside the home in Applecross, Perth, on Saturday morning.

Parry tried to ask Mr Michel-Elhaj why construction of his wife’s house was still going ahead while some 200 of his clients were waiting for their projects to be completed.

Some customers had signed a contract with the builder four years ago.

But instead of answering, Michel-Elhaj ripped the microphone from the reporter’s hands and grabbed the camera to block the lens.

A cameraman can be heard shouting at Mr Michel-Elhaj to ‘drop the camera’, to which he replied ‘don’t film me’.

Mr Michel-Elhaj then claimed Parry entered the property after the pair fell to the ground behind a metal fence.

“I’m not trespassing, come on mate…I just wanted to ask you a few questions. This is ridiculous,” Parry replied.

Mr Michel-Elhaj lashed out at Parry and his cameraman in a statement revealing he had reported the incident to police and would be pressing charges.

The director posted the statement on LinkedIn, Accusing Parry and Seven of ‘mercilessly ambushing my family and me for sensational purposes’.

“After I asked Geof not to enter a workplace and film me, he ignored my request and continued filming,” the statement reads.

‘Geoff and Seven’s first incident was an ambush on my family as they walked home at night, which caused serious problems for our family.

‘Geof and Seven have taken things to a whole new level and caused personal injury.

“This is not journalism, it is now bullying and absolutely unacceptable disgusting behavior that must be banned.”

Western Australia Premier Roger Cook defended the reporter and criticized Michel-Elhaj’s response to his questions.

“My message to Nicheliving is: Ronnie, read the room,” Mr Cook said at the launch of a new domestic violence awareness campaign.

“It’s not okay for you to take care of yourself and your home when you have literally hundreds of clients who still can’t get into their own homes that you are under contract to build.

‘Violence is never okay, but we especially regret the fact that (this) someone is doing his job. In this case, Geof and his camera team only ask questions that fit their work.’

Mr Michel-Elhaj (pictured) lashed out at Parry and his cameraman in a statement revealing he had reported the incident to police and would be pressing charges

Among the hundreds of affected customers is the state’s opposition leader, Shane Love, who said the “writing was on the wall” for the company for months.

“Many people have put their lives on hold and their letters to the state government, the state administrative tribunal and the building commission have not been received with the urgency or empathy that is required,” he said.

“The state government has been sitting on their hands.”

Nicheliving’s registration renewal was rejected by the Building Services Board in July, allowing affected customers to claim up to $200,000 of insurance.

However, Nicheliving took the case to the State Administrative Tribunal, which postponed their registration until the next hearing in November.

Parry later appeared on Seven News with a blunt message for Mr Michel-Elhaj.

“You owe your customers answers, you owe your customers a way out of this nightmare and finally, you owe your customers an apology,” he said.

“Otherwise I’ll keep coming for you on their behalf.”

Nicheliving has been involved in property transactions worth more than $500 million in WA.

Mr Michel-Elhaj himself was previously recognized as one of the state’s top entrepreneurs at the 40under40 awards.