Idol singer ordered to pay ex-manager

Cosima de Vito has been ordered to pay $30,000 to her ex-manager Constantine Nellis following a lengthy court battle after the demise of their business relationship.

Nellis had been seeking $500,000 in lost royalties and had sued for breach of contract after their bitter split in 2004.

The former Australian Idol singer counter-sued claiming she only agreed to pay Nellis 20 per cent of takings from live performances and nothing more.

The Supreme Court heard De Vito agreed to pay Nellis $50,000 to set up a record company for her plus $1000 a week.

“It does seem his work was minimal but it was his idea and he prepared a budget or proposal,” the judge said.

He awarded Nellis another $7000 in expenses. There were no damages for breach of management contract or royalties.

De Vito, in court for the hearing, was not in court yesterday.

Source: news.com.au