MAFS star Dion Giannarelli’s father, and former partner of Real Housewives of Melbourne’s Gina Liano, is sued for $176k in allegedly ‘unpaid’ legal fees
Property mogul Dean Giannarelli, father of MAFS star Dion Giannarelli and former partner of The Real Housewives of Melbourne’s Gina Liano, is being sued for $176,000 in allegedly unpaid legal fees.
Mr Giannarelli, 69, is the defendant against the Brisbane law firm AJ and Co Lawyers Pty Ltd, who claim they handled extensive work for him that was unpaid.
The businessman owns and operates the Giannarelli Group, a multi-billion dollar real estate investment group that develops luxury properties on the Gold Coast.
Property mogul Dean Giannarelli (left), father of MAFS star Dion Giannarelli and ex-partner of The Real Housewives of Melbourne’s Gina Liano (right), is being sued for $176,000 in allegedly “unpaid” legal fees.
AJ & Co allege that Giannarelli entered into an agreement with them in 2022 to perform litigation work for their real estate development company between August and November.
A claim filed earlier this month says: “Despite multiple lawsuits, Defendant has failed or refused to pay part of the debt.”
The hefty bill of $176,949 includes numerous bills for $84,568 issued in August, $54,836 in November, and $5,181 for negotiating a put and put option deed.
Mr Giannarelli, 69, is the defendant against the Brisbane law firm AJ and Co Lawyers Pty Ltd, who claim he handled important work for him that was unpaid. (Pictured: Dion and Dean Giannarelli)
The law firm claims it did significant work for Giannarelli’s company, including legal work for the planned purchase of 48 beachfront apartments.
It comes after Giannarelli and his son, reality star Dion, 35, signed a deal with the Ritz-Carlton last year to develop a 150-room resort at Mariner’s Cove at the Spit.
Plans for the spectacular development include a 67-berth superyacht marina, a 5,500-square-foot ballroom and outdoor rooftop pool, The Gold Coast Bulletin reported.
AJ and Co argues that Mr. Giannarelli entered into an agreement with them in 2022 to perform litigation work for their real estate development company between August and November.
Plans for the ambitious resort were submitted to the Gold Coast Council in August, and Dion said he expected them to be approved in early 2023.
If the council gives the green light, the complex should be finished by 2025.
Dion teamed up with high-flying Melbourne property developer Ross Pelligra of the Pelligra Group to bring the deal to life.
Giannarelli and his 35-year-old son Dion signed an agreement with the Ritz-Carlton last year to develop a 150-room resort at Mariner’s Cove at the Spit. (Pictured: An artist’s impression of the resort)