Billionaire Adrian Portelli has hit back at South Australian authorities in an Instagram video after he was accused of running an unlawful lottery.
Portelli emphasized that his company had made a significant contribution to the economy of the state and contended that prosecuting him for a small fraction of his wealth would be a misuse of public funds.
He highlighted the positive relationship his business had with South Australia, stating that the state had welcomed their substantial investments over the years.
SA Consumer and Business Affairs said it had not taken the decision to prosecute lightly, and lottery laws were in place for a reason.
In the Instagram video, Portelli appeared to offer to pay up to “call it even”.
“It’s a maximum penalty of $190,000. I’ll round it up to $200,000” he said.
“Call it even, and stop wasting peoples’ money.”
It’s not clear if that means Portelli intends to admit to the charges when he faces court in Adelaide on January 15.
As a well-known figure in the industry, Portelli is recognized for his work in promotions and real estate, often appearing on Australian television. Recently, he made headlines for acquiring all five properties in the auction finale of the latest season of the popular show The Block.
