Australian businessman James Packer has launched a brutal ouster of key allies, including one of his closest friends.
The reclusive billionaire, who has been the subject of controversy in recent years, appears to have trimmed his inner circle of trusted lieutenants, including former right-hand man and school friend Ben Tilley.
Mr Tilley was part of the Packer family for the past 50 years and was a classmate of Mr Packer at Sydney's posh Cranbrook school, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
He was often spotted with Mr Packer, including on board Mr Packer's $250 million superyacht IJE, which regularly hosts exclusive clientele.
Australian billionaire James Packer (pictured right with ex-fiance Mariah Carey) has launched a purge of some of his closest business allies
Most recently, Mr. Tilley oversaw the construction of Packer's sprawling $50 million estate in the Mexican luxury resort of Cabo San Lucas.
In June 2021, Mr Tilley spent $8.9 million on a swanky apartment in the Crown Sydney Tower, just a few floors above Mr Packer's luxury home.
Two other associates have also reportedly disappeared from Mr Packer's close circle.
It is understood that Guy Jalland has left his position as CEO of Consolidated Press Holdings (CPH), Mr Packer's multi-billion dollar company, ending a 35-year business relationship.
CPH chief financial officer Mike Johnston is also believed to be leaving after 20 years.
In his biography, Mr Packer described Mr Johnston as 'a great friend' who had shown 'complete loyalty to me and my family'.
Former right-hand man and school friend Ben Tilley was among those removed from Mr Packer's business circle (pictured from left to right are Gonzalo Pieres, Ben Tilley, James Packer and Karl Stefanovic)
Guy Jalland (right) and Mike Johnston (left) have also been dropped as business partners of Mr Packer
Both Mr Jalland and Mr Johnston were key figures in the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority's (ILGA) 2020 fairness investigation into Packer's $6 billion casino group Crown Resorts.
Mr. Packer and his staff did not respond to the news station's questions about the departure on Tuesday.
However, sources with knowledge of the changes said Mr Tilley and Mr Packer remained close friends and Mr Tilley's departure was amicable.
In June last year, Mr Packer set up an 'investment committee' to manage where he would spend the $3.3 billion he acquired after selling his 37 per cent stake in Crown Resorts.
He has invested money in several ventures, including a multimillion-dollar stake in Alan Jones' online media company ADH TV.
Also in 2022, Mr Packer revealed he was building a resort in Barbuda with Hollywood legend Robert De Niro.