Press Release - Friday December 21, 2007

Sean Buckley sues journalist and News Limited for $3 million

Multi millionaire racehorse owner and Ultra Tune Executive Chairman Sean Buckley is suing Russell Robertson and the Herald Sun newspaper for defamation.

The owner of 2007 Horse of the Year Miss Andretti and boss of after care service company Ultra Tune Sean Buckley today launched legal action in the Melbourne Supreme Court against journalist Russell Robertson and the Herald & Weekly Times over an article which appeared in News Limited newspapers earlier this month.

The article described Mr Buckley's alleged business dealings with convicted drug trafficker and accused underworld murderer Tony Mokbel.

Mr Buckley is suing Russell Robertson and News Limited for misleading and deceptive conduct, claiming the article contained several false statements, was manifestly incorrect and was clearly designed to influence and suggest to its readership that Buckley was both a close friend and business associate of the fugitive Tony Mokbel.

In his article which appeared on the front page of Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper on December 5, 2007, Russell Robertson claimed that Mr Buckley “handed about $1 million in cash to drug czar Tony Mokbel in a series of weekly payments.”

Payments related to Mr Buckley’s purchase of a horse property in Kilmore owned by Mokbel’s wife, brokered by the DPP, National Australia Bank, the County Court and sanctioned by Buckley’s lawyers, were made known to the Herald Sun’s lawyers well before the sensational front page claims.

The article also claimed that Buckley had been convicted for fraud in 1992. No such conviction was ever entered or recorded as evidenced by Buckley’s police record.

Journalist Robertson has maintained that he and the Herald Sun have uncovered numerous ‘sources’ that have provided sworn statements in support of the claims.

Mr Buckley has responded to these allegations by questioning the credibility of these ‘sources’.

Mr Robertson and the Herald Sun, it will be claimed, has allegedly spent at least the last 6-months contacting suppliers to Buckley’s business interests, former and disgruntled employees and other individuals in an attempt to corroborate Robertson’s rumor-based claims.

Buckley today said he welcomes the opportunity for these individuals and so-called ‘sources’ to present their allegations in court.

Buckley’s defamation writ with a claim for statutory damages and unspecified aggravated damages, could amount to well over $3 million.

Mr Buckley said that “It is a very cruel and insensitive thing to happen to anyone when the world’s largest and most powerful media company comes after you with unsubstantiated claims and innuendo.”

“This has clearly been a coordinated and well resourced campaign by my competitors and those who may not think the best of me, to discredit me and harm my business interests at a time when Ultra Tune is looking to expand overseas and around the world” said Buckley.

“Everyone knows that the Herald Sun is just a sensationalist tabloid and that this is how they sell newspapers - no matter what the damage to people’s lives and reputations.”

“The truth is the average person could never dream about suing the Herald Sun because they are just too powerful. But when they print blatant lies and mistruths about you time and time again, it forces you to act because it’s about your own personal integrity” said Buckley.

“I just hope that when this action is heard in the Supreme Court, that everyone will remember that it’s not just me who has been damaged, but also my children, my family, my staff and even my champion horse.”

“This has been the most stressful time of my life but I will no longer sit back and allow the Herald Sun to take pot shots at me based on hearsay and innuendo. It’s not a fair go.”