James Packer denies claims he cut right-hand man Ben Tilley from his inner-circle because the billionaire ‘took a shining’ to his glamorous ex-girlfriend
James Packer has denied claims he and his decades-long friend Ben Tilley had a falling out over a woman.
The billionaire businessman, 56, recently purged top lieutenants in his inner circle, including his right-hand man Ben, after 50 years of friendship.
Now rumors are rife that tensions have risen between the pals on the schoolyard after Packer 'got into the spotlight' with a glamorous ex-girlfriend of Tilley's.
However, the Australian investor is adamant that he and Ben are just 'taking a break' and are still friends, the paper reports The Daily Telegraph on Sunday.
'Ben and I are still friends. We are taking a break from each other,” he told the publication.
James Packer, 56, (pictured) has denied claims he and his decades-long boyfriend Ben Tilley had a falling out over a woman
Nevertheless, insiders claim that Packer's latest romance, described as an “American model, actor and dancer,” first involved an affair with Tilley.
Packer and Tilley have been close friends since sharing classes at Sydney's posh Cranbrook school.
Tilley was often spotted with Packer aboard his $250 million superyacht IJE, which regularly hosts exclusive clientele.
The billionaire businessman, 56, recently purged top lieutenants in his inner circle, including his right-hand man Ben, after 50 years of friendship. Pictured from left to right: Gonzalo Pieres, Ben Tilley, James Packer and Karl Stefanovic
Most recently, Tilley managed the construction of Packer's grand $50 million estate in the Mexican luxury resort Cabo San Lucas.
In June 2021, Tilley spent $8.9 million on a swanky apartment in the Crown Sydney Tower, just a few floors above Packer's luxury home.
However, it appears Tilley wasn't the only one who was ruthlessly removed from Packer's tight-knit circle, with two other associates on the outside.
Now rumors are rife that tensions have risen between the pals on the schoolyard after Packer 'got into the spotlight' with a glamorous ex-girlfriend of Tilley's. Pictured with ex-fiance Mariah Carey
It is understood that Guy Jalland has left his position as CEO of Consolidated Press Holdings (CPH), Packer's multi-billion dollar private equity firm, ending a 35-year business relationship.
CPH financial director Mike Johnston is also said to have left after twenty years.
In his biography, Packer described Johnston as “a great friend” who had shown “complete loyalty to me and my family.”
Both Jalland and Johnston were key figures in the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority's (ILGA) 2020 fairness investigation into Packer's $6 billion Crown Resorts casino group.