Octogenarian Millionaire's Family Take Legal Action to Prevent Him Handing Fortune to Dominatrix

The family of an octogenarian multi-millionaire in New Zealand have taken a professional dominatrix to court after she was given $120,000 by the man. The court heard the dominatrix had a history of financially preying on older men.

Although the man can't be identified as he is considered to be vulnerable, it is known he built up a property empire worth some $20 million. The man's family went to court to stop the flow of money to the dominatrix, who is in her fifties.

Asked to give evidence in court, the millionaire's wife, who lives in a nursing home, said her husband introduced her to the woman six years ago when she enquired about using one of his properties as a brothel.

"I was not comfortable, but it seemed to fascinate (my husband)," said the woman. "She came to our home a number of times and I was always polite and offered her a cup of tea and a sandwich. She was very familiar and I did not like this – (my husband) was very keen to do things for her."

Also giving evidence to court, the millionaire's daughter said she had always thought her father had a "typical Catholic attitude towards sex and was quite prudish". She was shocked therefore when he "sat down and told me he was into bondage and discipline... he described his sessions with (the dominatrix) to me, being tied up and whipped."

Although the octogenarian's GP of 30 years believed him to be of sound mind and fully capable of managing his own affairs, a psycho-geriatrician said he was "undoubtedly vulnerable to undue influence".

Noting that the man had discussed his sexual activity with the dominatrix with his children, Judge David Brown noted the man "partly lacks the competence to manage his own affairs in relation to his property" and ordered a manager be appointed to take over the running of the man's property portfolio.

"That a man of age could become involved in totally unexpected sexual behaviour without being in any way impaired is beyond question," said Judge Brown. "It is however entirely different if it takes place accompanied by . . . changes of attitude and behaviour indicative of a generalised loss of judgment."