Ugly row erupts as Anthony ‘Kouta’ Koutoufides locks builder out of his multimillion-dollar Melbourne mansion before making final payment

AFL legend and Dancing With The Stars champion Anthony Koutoufides has been accused of exploiting his fans after becoming embroiled in an ugly row with the builder of his mansion.

The now 50-year-old is known as ‘Kouta’ and has come under fire for failing to pay the final installment on his multi-million dollar property and changing the locks to keep the builder out.

Daily Mail Australia has received legal documentation from both the builder and Koutoufides’ legal team outlining the bitter dispute.

Kouta was an AFL powerhouse in the 1990s and early 2000s, playing 278 games for Carlton, including a premiership-winning season in 1995.

He subsequently became a reality TV star with roles such as ‘Kouta the Greek God’ in the Seven Network revival of Gladiators in 2008 and twice on Dancing With The Stars, where he was crowned champion in 2006.

The builder, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that Koutoufides and his wife Susie – who is listed as the property owner – provided no explanation for the failure to pay the bill in October, which now stands at approximately $180,000 and counting keeps growing.

The builder – a mad Carlton fan – has accused Kouta of abusing his support for the Blues.

His claims are fiercely disputed by Koutoufides and his wife, who have retained Melbourne lawyers Olivia Terziovski and Imran Fatah to argue their case.

Mr Fatah told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday that it was his client’s position that construction of the house was six months overdue and that independent expert inspectors had since discovered numerous defects.

“These inspectors have also been engaged to prepare independent inspection reports for the purpose of considering the potential for legal action,” he said.

‘Our clients have engaged three construction experts in plumbing, general construction and construction, who have indicated that there are significant problems with the work. We are awaiting their reports so that we can advise our client on her options.”

Documents provided to Mr Fatah and seen by Daily Mail Australia allege Koutoufides and his wife turned against the builders in October ‘without prior indication or notice that a serious dispute had arisen between the parties’.

When the builder arrived at the property on October 19, Koutoufides was reportedly waiting in his car.

When he saw the builder, he got out of his vehicle and said, “I wouldn’t worry, the locks have been changed,” the documents say.

The builder claimed Koutoufides let him in to pick up some items before later receiving a legal letter from the former footy star’s lawyer.

“We have been instructed to immediately report your conduct to the Victorian Building Authority in relation to your suitability to be a registered builder,” the letter to the builder said.

‘You must refrain from entering our client’s property or approaching her or her family.’

While the builder asked not to be named for fear of reprisals from Carlton fanatics, a representative named ‘Sophie’ told Daily Mail Australia the case was now headed to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

“His wife’s name is on the title, but Kouta is the brains. “Whether you want to call him a celebrity or a has-been, he is definitely creative,” she said.

The builder believes Koutoufides has lulled him into a false sense of security due to his reputation with the Blues.

“It’s clear he benefits from having followers,” Sophie said.

“The house that was built is incredible and is worth almost $5 million.”

She further claimed: ‘The last installment has not been paid yet and it is now clear that interest is being added and all the rest.’

The Ivanhoe estate – north-east of Melbourne’s CBD – was built from the ground up.

The Koutoufides claimed they had no choice but to move into the house because they were evicted from their rental property following the alleged construction delays.

The builder was forced to dig into his own pockets to pay the various contractors who still owed money for the work they carried out on Koutoufides’ home.

“Every sector faces its own pressures but builders don’t need this and if a builder wants to continue they obviously need support,” Sophie said.

Mr Fatah has roundly rejected all claims about Koutoufides and said his clients had already filed a complaint with Master Builders Victoria regarding the conduct of the builder and one of his employees.

The couple claims that the employee sent an email to a number of the builder’s subcontractors with their contact details.

A report by Daily Mail Australia called the Koutoufides ‘sons of bitches’.

“Please help us win this battle, not only for ourselves, but for you and all other contractors who are owed money,” the employee wrote.

Mr Fatah claimed the emails had resulted in a ‘cruel campaign’ against Koutoufides and his wife.

But the builder’s representative insisted that Koutoufides and his wife had cut off all communication and refused to participate in any form of mediation.

‘He just moved in and… managed to change the locks and the whole family moved in. Nobody knows why. Nobody knows what’s going on. No one can put it down to anything,” Sophie said.

“They just ghosted them. You don’t hear anything.’

The builder has hired lawyers to battle VCAT, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Meanwhile, Koutoufides and his wife are gathering materials to file a complaint with the Victorian Building Authority, Fatah said.

“We are awaiting the reports of the independent experts so that they can consider their options regarding legal action and also consider defamation actions against (the builder),” he said.