Kate Ceberano has broken her silence after her former manager was jailed for sexual assault.
Disgraced former celebrity agent Ralph Carr, prosecuted under his full name Ralph Carnovale-Carr, was found by a jury last month to have raped a woman multiple times at his Melbourne West warehouse in March 2023.
The 66-year-old appeared in the Melbourne County Court via video link from Melbourne Assessment Prison, where he was jailed for a maximum of six years.
Legendary pop star Ceberano told the Herald Sun Sunday that Carr’s actions are not isolated incidents in the music industry.
“I think there is a very evil underworld attached to some people in music management,” the 59-year-old said.
“When you have someone who is the custodian of hard-working artists, and you suddenly find out that his private life is not honorable, it’s disgusting.
Kate Ceberano (pictured) has broken her silence after her former manager was jailed for sexual assault
“His actions are disgusting. They are despicable.”
Ceberano said many had assumed Carr “was a good person because of his social status and connections.”
“And yet we discover this underworld of terrible things,” she said.
Ceberano quit Carr in 2018 and is now managed by her husband, Lee Rogers.
She says she has spoken to Carr’s other former clients, including singer Vanessa Amorosi and his ex-wife, Tina Arena, about his imprisonment.
‘They have been discreet about it. We don’t want to be associated with him,” she said.
Carr was convicted of raping a woman at his Melbourne home in the early hours of March 24, 2023, after she became emotional while discussing the end of a relationship.
In August, Carr, known for his striking clothing style and wig, appeared on a video link, bald, clean-shaven and wearing prison greens, after being found guilty and convicted of two charges of rape and one of sexual assault.
Disgraced former celebrity agent Ralph Carr, prosecuted under his full name Ralph Carnovale-Carr, was found by a jury in March 2023 to have raped a woman multiple times at his Melbourne West warehouse. Pictured with Ceberano and Vanessa Amorosi
Carr (right) arrived at court with his lawyer Dermot Dann KC before he was found guilty of rape earlier this month
He had hoped for a deferred sentence, which if successful would have led to a bail application and likely release.
Top side Dermot Dann KC filed the disbarment application on Carr’s behalf, telling the court the guilty verdicts were the “most obvious miscarriage of justice” he had seen in his more than 30 years as a lawyer.
However, Judge Frank Gucciardo refused the stay request before labeling Carr’s offense as ‘very serious’.
“Your behavior was appalling,” Judge Gucciardo said.
“You took advantage of her at a time when she was not only drunk, but also vulnerable and in need of comfort, and at a time when she looked to you for care and support.
“It was at that moment that you chose to abuse that trust in the most abhorrent way.”
Judge Gucciardo said Carr “didn’t stop doing it” despite the victim’s continued insistence that she did not want to have sex with him.
Mr Dann previously told the court that his client maintained his innocence and that is why they requested an extraordinary reprieve.
“I think there is a very evil underworld attached to some people in music management,” the 59-year-old said
“For someone who maintains his innocence, this is a terrible, terrible situation,” Dann said.
The court heard that Carr, a prominent showbiz and sports management figure who was once married to pop star Tina Arena, had harmed himself by banging his head against a wall shortly after his conviction.
A close friend told the Daily Mail he believed Carr would certainly appeal the convictions.
Several friends and family provided character references on Carr’s behalf.
Carr received a prison sentence of up to six years, with a minimum of four years.
If you or someone you know is affected by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit their website. In case of emergency you can call 000.
