Cosima De Vito's court fight

October 31, 2007 10:00pm
THE bitter court battle between singer Cosima De Vito and her former managers went up an octave at a NSW Supreme Court hearing yesterday, with moves made to drag her parents into the legal drama.

Constantine Nellis and Ted Gardner are suing the former Australian Idol finalist for breach of contract, claiming lost earnings of more than $500,000.

Lawyers acting for duo, who took on the Australian Idol finalist in 2003, were granted leave to amend court proceedings, in a bid link new claims against her parents Carlo and Maria De Vito.

Justice Bergmann dismissed a similar attempt yesterday, but agreed to hear fresh claims on November 16.

It is understood De Vito's parents bank-rolled their daughter's bid for music stardom, to the tune of over $1 million.

But Nellis and Gardner will claim the investment was directed into establishing an independent record label, which ultimately released her self-titled no.1 album in 2004.

The duo allege De Vito's parents then retained them as management, paying Nellis an upfront fee of $25,000.

It is claimed the working relationship was severed in December that year.

Nellis and Gardner claim the singer made their professional roles "untenable'', while De Vito will argue a counter claim, stating the management team were "negligent'' in guiding her career.

Yesterday, De Vito's solicitor, Mark Secivanovic told Confidential "if they have a valid argument we will seek instructions then. But nothing has been put forward which implicates her parents whatsoever.''

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21...5012990,00.html