James Packer has denied claims he and his decades-long pal Ben Tilley had a falling out over a woman.
The billionaire businessman, 56, recently purged the top lieutenants in his inner-circle, including his right-hand man Ben, after 50 years of friendship.
Now, rumour is circulating that tensions rose between the schoolyard buddies after Packer ‘took a shining’ to a glamorous ex-girlfriend of Tilley’s.
However, the Australian investor is adamant he and Ben are only ‘taking a break’ and are still friends, reported The Daily Telegraph on Sunday.
‘Ben and I are still friends. We are just taking a break from one another for a while,’ he told the publication.
James Packer, 56, (pictured) has denied claims he and his decades-long pal Ben Tilley had a falling out over a woman
Nevertheless, insiders have claimed Packer’s newest romance, who has been described as an ‘American model, actor and dancer’, had a fling with Tilley first.
Packer and Tilley have been close mates since they shared classes together at Sydney’s upscale Cranbrook school.
Tilley was often spotted alongside Packer on board his $250million superyacht IJE, which regularly hosts exclusive clientele.
The billionaire businessman, 56, recently purged the top lieutenants in his inner-circle , including his right-hand man Ben, after 50 years of friendship. Pictured L to R: Gonzalo Pieres, Ben Tilley, James Packer and Karl Stefanovic
Most recently, Tilley project-managed the construction of Packer’s grand $50million estate in the Mexican luxury resort of Cabo San Lucas.
In June 2021, Tilley spent $8.9million on a ritzy apartment in the Crown Sydney tower, just a few floors above Packer’s luxurious residence.
However, it seems Tilley wasn’t the only one to be ruthlessly purged from Packer’s tight-knit inner circle, with two other associates finding themselves on the outer.
Now, rumour is circulating that tensions rose between the schoolyard buddies after Packer ‘took a shining’ to a glamorous ex-girlfriend of Tilley’s. Pictured with with ex-fiancé Mariah Carey
It is understood Guy Jalland left his position as chief executive of Consolidated Press Holdings (CPH), Packer’s multibillion-dollar private investment company, ending a 35-year business relationship.
CPH finance director Mike Johnston is also believed to have departed after 20 years.
In his biography, Packer described Johnston as ‘a good friend’ who had shown ‘complete loyalty to me and my family’.
Both Jalland and Johnston were key figures in the 2020 Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority’s (ILGA’s) probity inquiry into Packer’s $6billion Crown Resorts casino group.
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