By Karen Breytenbach
Cape Town-based supermodel Tanya Fourie is suing her Italian ex-boyfriend Nicola Caricola for over 220 000 euros that he allegedly stole from her Swiss bank account.
Fourie has applied for a summary judgment in the Cape High Court through her attorney, Schalk Marais.
Caricola, who used to play for Italian soccer club Juventus of Turin and now has an address in Tokai, allegedly siphoned money from what is described as an investment, between 2003 and 2005, after their separation, without Fourie's knowledge or consent.
According to court papers, Caricola, who is cited as a businessman, made 16 withdrawals of between 8 000 euros and 25 000 euros in this period, which added up to 224 577 euros.
Fourie, who now lives in Welgedacht, said the withdrawals were made without consent or the necessary authority, with the "fraudulent intention to steal and of permanently depriving her of her property".
She said despite demands for repayment, Caricola failed or refused to repay the money.
She is now claiming the rand value of the money plus interest, as well as the costs of her attorney and further and alternative relief.
In her affidavit before court, Fourie said she believed Caricola did "not have a bona fide defence to the claim and appearance has been entered solely for purpose of delaying the action".
Caricola has until August 7 to file a notice of intention to defend Fourie's claim.
If he fails to do so, a judgment may be given without further notice.
The case goes to court on August 11.
The couple had two children together and at one stage lived in Genoa, Italy.
In 2006 the Italian police charged the soccer star with having supplied cocaine to his former teammate Gianluca Vialli in 2004.