Australian pool executive resigns after former partner assault charges
The so-called "godfather of the swimming pool industry," Chris Papageorgiou, has resigned from his position as co-chief executive of Maytronics Australia following charges that he assaulted his former partner. His resignation came after the Daily Mail reported on the charges and his unsuccessful attempt to suppress case details through the court. The failed suppression application is significant as it sought to prevent media reporting, but the court rejected it based on the principle of open justice.
Papageorgiou, a father of two, faces assault charges in courts across two Australian states. He and his ex-partner first met as teenagers and dated for two years before reconnecting in 2020 after a chance meeting at a Melbourne café. Allegations against him include incidents at Q Station near Sydney in November and in Bentleigh East, Melbourne in March, with an additional allegation that he visited a restaurant in April to locate her. He is due to appear in person at Manly court regarding one of the assault charges.
- Pool industry executive resigned after assault charges were exposed
- Court rejected his attempt to suppress media coverage of the case
- Charges relate to incidents with his former partner across two Australian states
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Chris Papageorgiou is a well-known figure in Australia's swimming pool industry and was co-chief executive of Maytronics Australia until recently. He faces assault charges involving his former partner, with allegations spanning two Australian states. His resignation came after the charges were publicly reported.
The story came to prominence when a court rejected his application to prevent media coverage of the case. Courts can sometimes restrict what journalists may report, but judges must follow principles of open justice, which means court proceedings are generally reported publicly. The court's refusal to suppress reporting is what brought the charges and allegations into the open.
Papageorgiou and his ex-partner have a long history together. They met and dated as teenagers, then reconnected in 2020 after a chance encounter in Melbourne. The allegations against him relate to incidents in New South Wales and Victoria, with an upcoming court appearance scheduled to address the assault charges.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Fresh blow for ‘godfather of swimming pool industry’ charged with DV offences against ‘first love’ as he resigns from high-flying executive role after bid to keep case details secret”.