One of Australia’s elite heart surgeons has been accused of being an alcoholic by his own family.
The shocking claim against Dr Marco Emanuele Larobina has been detailed in court documents, as he fights for a slice of a family trust fund.
It is alleged his dad, Ubaldo Larobina – who founded Melbourne’s Italian-language newspaper Il Globo – removed Marco from being a beneficiary in August 2021.
After Ubaldo’s death, aged 92, in December 2023, control of the “substantial” family trust – which includes ownership of IlGlobo – was transferred to his two other children, Julius and Nicoletta.
But within weeks Dr Larobina launched legal action and the trio have been locked in a bitter feud ever since.
Explosive court documents state Ubaldo was told his son was an alcoholic by Marco’s then wife and shown a “terrible photo” of him drunk and injured outside the home of much younger trainee surgeon, who he was allegedly having an affair with.
Marco admits he was a patient at Addiction Solutions Victoria in December 2022, but has not said why.
“It is a deeply sad case,” Supreme Court of Victoria Judicial Registrar Katherine Lorenz said.
“We’re dealing with Mr (Ubaldo) Larobina, who was an amazing and remarkable individual, who built this legacy, and the material that’s going to go before the court in the trial won’t reflect well on anybody.”
She added: “Some of it is potentially scandalous. And it will, in my view, only serve to deepen rifts in the family.
“It raises matters that, for a family, are deeply sensitive.”
An anonymous complaint was also made about Dr Larobina to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) last year.
That investigation concluded this month exonerating him of any wrongdoing.
Court documents allege Dr Larobina has been estranged from the family since 2010.
A statement of claim continues: “At some point between April 2021 and July 2021, Ubaldo became aware via numerous conversations with Marco’s wife at Ubaldo’s home that Marco was an alcoholic, Marco had an affair and that affair was continuing and Marco’s marriage had broken down.”
Barrister Harry Hill-Smith, for the plaintiffs, alleged a “terrible” photo of Marco was shown to Ubaldo.
“Ubaldo was shown a terrible photo of Marco while intoxicated and injured following an incident outside of the home of Marco’s then girlfriend.”
He added Marco was removed from the trusts because his dad believed he was an alcoholic.
“It would have given rise to a legitimate fear that an alcoholic son may interfere in the proper management of the trusts, and that he would be a disruptive influence on the management of the trusts.
“Marco’s alcoholism would have constituted disentitling conduct, which would justify the removal of a beneficiary.”
It is also alleged Marco had two major fights with his dad that left Ubaldo “visibly terrified”.
“When Nicoletta and Julius arrived the doors were locked, the blinds were drawn and Ubaldo was sitting on the couch visiblyterrified,” the statement of claim reads.
Ubaldo was so worried Marco was going to attack him he asked Julius to stay overnight and later changed all the locks on hishouse, the document reads.
Marco denies the “screaming arguments” ever happened but Mr Hill-Smith claimed it was possible he was “simply black out drunk” and “doesn’t actually remember them”.
Marco was suspended from the Royal Melbourne Hospital for “serious misconduct” last year but Marco took legal action and thematter was resolved out of court.
He no longer works for them but he does continue to work at Epworth HealthCare in Richmond and Monash Health’s Victorian Heart Hospital in Clayton.
Ubaldo was allegedly so concerned by his son’s behaviour, he didn’t want to be treated at the same hospital as him.
“Marco’s erratic behaviour, drinking problem and acrimony with (his wife) produced an instable home environment,” the statement of claim reads.
“Ubaldo insisted on being treated at Cabrini Health rather than Epworth Healthcare because he said that he didn’t want to be treated at the same hospital as one where Marco worked and he didn’t want Marco anywhere near him or involved in his medical care.”
Dr Larobina has filed a counter claim saying amendments to the family trusts were not completed correctly and should be null and void.
He also argues that his dad had memory issues.
“Marco Larobina has an extremely stressful job and addiction or otherwise can arise for any number of reasons,” Barrister Zoe Anderson, representing Dr Larobina, said of the addiction allegations.
“There’s no need for anyone to be determining questions about treatment nearly a year and a half after the relevant eventsin this case.”
A spokesman for Epworth HealthCare said it had no concerns over Dr Larobina work.
“Dr Larobina is an experienced and highly regarded cardiothoracic surgeon and the Epworth has no concerns regarding his ability to safely practise or provide care to patients,” he said.
“Epworth is aware that the Medical Board of Australia recently concluded a thorough investigation into matters concerning Dr Larobina and the Board determined to take no further action. He holds unrestricted medical registration.”
He added: “As is the case for all accredited medical practitioners, Epworth maintains robust clinical governance, credentialling and oversight processes.”
Monash Health said it “treats its obligations to protect the confidentiality of personal information with utmost seriousness”.
The Larobina family have been urged to re-try mediation. If that fails, a 15-day trial is expected late this year or earlyin 2027.