The Block 2022 winning bidder Adrian Portelli has addressed claims he allegedly stripped $100,000 worth of goods from the house he purchased before giving it away.
The Herald Sun recently revealed CCTV footage showing a group of men, including Adrian, seemingly removing several items from Sharon Johal and Ankur Dogra‘s renovation, which he says he purchased for $4.25 million last season.
In the video from March, the group allegedly took items including approximately $50,000 of wine, Smeg appliances, a robot mower, a meat smoker and a treadmill.
Taking to Instagram on October 8, Adrian revealed on his Story that he has engaged lawyers regarding the publication’s findings.
“At some point in time you have to stand your ground and say enough is enough,” he wrote. “I’ve instructed my lawyers to commence defamation action immediately.
“Let the show begin.”
In a subsequent post on October 9, the LMCT+ giveaway company founder said he’s “tough-skinned”.
“So whatever, bring it on,” he expressed. “It’s sad because everyone talks about the tall poppy syndrome in Australia but it stems from the higher-ups, it comes from them. People learn from these people.
“As soon as you make it in this country they just want to tear you to shreds.”
Adrian continued: “I’ve lived in the US, I’ve been to other countries. It’s not like this at all. People support successful people. Here it’s just like, they want to shred bits off ya.
“It’s sad because it discourages people from wanting to be successful.”
Winners of The Block 2022 house giveaway address alleged stolen goodsKevin Griffin, who won The Block 2022 property via Adrian’s LMCT+ giveaway, said he and his wife, Andrea, discovered the CCTV on the home’s security cameras.
The couple, who moved from Ballarat to what was supposed to be their “dream home” said they were shocked to learn what happened.
“We were just like, what the hell?” Andrea told the Herald Sun. “Why has he done this?”
Kevin and Andrea explained that they were led to believe everything in the house was included in the “life-changing” prize following the company’s promo videos.
However, Adrian — also known as “Mr Lambo” — said he had the lawful right to remove the valuables and called the couple “ungrateful”.
In a response to the publication, he said the details of the giveaway only stated the house was “fully furnished”.
“The house came fully furnished, can you imagine winning a $4.5 million house? We even paid the stamp duty, which would have been about $300,000. And then they say unless you give us $100,000 we will put up a website.
“It’s incredible. People are ungrateful.”
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