Melissa Caddick inquest: Anthony Koletti gives his side after ‘exhausting’ day and lawyer confusion

Melissa Caddick’s husband has told the inquest into her presumed death that he accepts that his wife was a fraud when he faced another day of brutal interrogations, with even a lawyer suggesting that Anthony Koletti had “completely lost the plot.”

Koletti returned to the NSW Coroners Court on Friday for a fourth day of evidence. His return kicked off with a dramatic moment when senior counsel for the NSW Police Force was reprimanded by the coroner for a brutal interrogation.

Sydney Morning Herald reporter Kate McClymont shared the relentless questions posed by Lachlan Gyles SC – who represented the NSW Police Force – on Twitter.

When Mr. Koletti took the stand, Mr. Gyles asked him, “You’re not very numerical, are you? Didn’t win any academic awards in school? You were at the bottom of your class, weren’t you?’

Mr. Gyles was ordered not to ask Mr. Koletti any more “leading questions.”

After the quick start, Koletti was taken to a statement he wrote to the court in July 2021 about the search warrant issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

“I believe she died as a direct result of ASIC’s negligence, cruelty and inhumanity,” Koletti wrote.

“Is that something you still say under oath today?” Dean Jordan SC requested on behalf of ASIC.

“Yes,” said Mr. Koletti.

“I suggest that your enforcement of that claim shows that you have completely lost your objective perspective regarding ASIC,” said Mr. Jordan, adding that it also showed that he had “completely lost the plot.”

“No,” said Mr. Koletti.

Melissa Caddick’s husband has returned for his fourth day of evidence at her inquest after a psychiatrist said she had narcissistic personality disorder. Pictured is Melissa Caddick with Anthony Koletti

However, he did accept that the search warrant was justified at the time.

For years, Mr. Koletti believed that his wife was a ‘straight shooter’, a competent and well-organized financial advisor.

But he now accepted the fact that she was pretending to be honest and diligent while stealing millions from her family and friends.

“You now accept that you were also cheated by Mrs. Caddick?” said Mr. Jordan.

“Yes,” said Mr. Koletti.

“How did you end up finding out that Mrs. Caddick was a fraud?” asked Mr. Jordan.

“By paying attention to the legal proceedings and listening to Her Honor,” Koletti said.

He also wrote in a statement that he and Ms Caddick were not provided with food, water and medical assistance which they all “needed desperately for 14 hours during the search.”

On Friday, he admitted that this was not the case.

Mrs. Caddick’s family holds ASIC responsible for her disappearance, with her brother personally blaming Isabella Allen, the investigation’s project manager.

“How do you feel responsible for Melissa’s death,” Adam Grimley told Ms. Allen, she said in previous evidence.

Anthony Koletti (pictured right) has denied having any role in Melissa Caddick’s disappearance (pictured left)

Ms. Allen said she didn’t feel responsible because she was just doing her job.

Koletti insists he had no idea his wife was defrauding family and friends out of millions of dollars, nor did he ask her why federal police and ASIC suddenly searched their home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on November 11, 2020.

It was Mrs. Caddick’s last verified sighting before she disappeared without a trace.

The victims of Mrs. Caddick’s Ponzi scheme, mostly family and friends, lost $20-$30 million which she used to fund her lavish lifestyle

In February 2021, her decomposing foot, encased in a shoe, washed ashore on Bournda Beach on the south coast of NSW.

On Thursday, forensic psychiatrist Dr. Kerri Eagle said she had rated Ms. Caddick as having a “narcissistic personality disorder,” but emphasized that she never interviewed her and based her diagnosis purely on statements and other data.

The intense humiliation could make her feel like there was no other outlet than suicide, Dr. Eagle said.

The investigation continues.

The Dover Heights property that Melissa Caddick called home was purchased in 2014 for $6.2 million and could now be worth up to $10 million, according to real estate experts.