The high-profile divorce of Sydney property magnate Mario Evangelo and his ex-wife Janelle has taken another turn, with their Crown Towers apartment now on the line.

The CEO of the $300million Panthera property empire married Janelle for a second time in 2018, but they have been embroiled in an eventful separation since parting ways in November 2023.

The saga reached a fever pitch in May, when Mario alleged in court documents that his wife had tried to poison him through her cooking and had attempted to hire a bikie to ‘hurt’ him. 

Janelle is not facing any charges in relation to her ex-husband’s claims, but police successfully applied for an interim apprehended violence order for his protection.

Under the order, Janelle must not assault, threaten, stalk, or damage any property or animal belonging to Mario, and is barred from contacting him unless through a lawyer.

Now, in the latest development, wealth management company Perpetual Corporate is seeking possession of the luxury apartment, alleging Janelle and the couple’s daughter mortgaged it as security for a $6million loan to Mario’s company Maneva.

The luxury Barangaroo unit was reportedly purchased for $9.5million in 2021 and is Janelle’s current residence. 

According to Perpetual Corporate’s Supreme Court filing, the company Maneva Pty Ltd, of which Mario is a director and shareholder, was loaned $6million in October 2023, roughly six weeks before the couple split.

The CEO of the $300 million Panthera property empire and his ex-wife Janelle, whom he married for a second time in 2018, have been embroiled in an eventful separation since parting ways in November 2023.

The loan then defaulted in January 2025, with the company allegedly failing to make payments.

Perpetual claims the Barangaroo apartment was mortgaged as security, in an agreement guaranteed by Janelle and the couple’s daughter.

While Mario was also a guarantor, he ‘seemingly did not provide any security for his guarantee’.

According to court documents, Perpetual issued a first demand in March 2025 and a second demand in May seeking $6,260,842.12 plus legal costs, while also notifying the parties of its right to take possession of and sell the apartment. 

Perpetual commenced proceedings just over three weeks later. 

In a cross-claim, Janelle argues that she signed the security documents under duress and because of ‘Mario’s undue influence’, and with an understanding that any borrowing would be short-term, for their ‘mutual benefit’ and paid back by either Mario or Maneva. 

It is further argued that, upon purchasing the property in late 2021, Mario arranged it so their daughter had 80 per cent ownership, with Janelle having the remaining 20 per cent.

Janelle claims she was neither aware of nor intended that ownership arrangement. 

Janelle also told the court she purchased the apartment using the proceeds of another property she owned.

Perpetual claims the Barangaroo apartment was mortgaged as security, in an agreement guaranteed by Janelle and the couple’s daughter

Mario Evangelo is the CEO of the $300 million Panthera property empire

The apartment also forms part of the marital asset pool being squabbled over in a property settlement, with Janelle seeking to combine both sets of court proceedings.

The cross-claim also reveals Mario was ordered to pay back the loan and interest himself, but is allegedly yet to do so, while Janelle has been keeping it afloat using money in a trust.

An application by Janelle to combine the Supreme Court proceedings with their property settlement will return for a second hearing next week.

The couple fell in love in the 1990s and had an on-and-off-again relationship, including two marriages, before parting ways for good in 2023.

In May, The Daily Telegraph reported allegations made by Mario to the police, claiming he was left fighting for his life after being struck down by mystery illnesses following meals cooked by Janelle.

In May, romantic Facebook posts emerged of Mario with another woman, psychic Melanie Obeid. He described her as his ‘queen’ and captioned one photo ‘Amore’ – Italian for ‘love’ 

However, Melanie told the Daily Mail she was still very much married – to her wife. ‘I wouldn’t read too much into that [the Facebook posts],’ she said at the time

And in an even more baffling twist days later, seemingly romantic Facebook posts emerged of Mario with another woman, psychic Melanie Obeid. He described her as his ‘queen’ and captioned one photo ‘Amore’, Italian for ‘love’.

However, Melanie told the Daily Mail she was still very much married – to her wife.

‘I’m married to Tess. I am gay,’ she said when asked about the nature of her relationship with Mario.

‘I wouldn’t read too much into that [the Facebook posts].’

The Daily Mail accepts that Mario and Melanie are simply good friends and that Melanie is in a committed relationship with her wife, and does not suggest otherwise.