Kate Ceberano exposes 'malevolent underworld' in music industry after her former manager Ralph Carr was jailed for 'appalling' sexual assaults

Kate Ceberano has broken her silence after her former manager was jailed for sexual assault. 

Disgraced former celebrity agent Ralph Carr, prosecuted under his full name Ralph Carnovale-Carr, was last month found by a jury to have raped a woman multiple times at his Melbourne West warehouse home in March 2023.

The 66-year-old appeared at the Melbourne County Court via videolink from the Melbourne Assessment Prison where he was jailed for a maximum of six years.

Legendary pop star Ceberano told the Herald Sun on Sunday that Carr's actions are not isolated incidents in the music industry. 

'I think there's a very malevolent underworld that's attached to some people in music management,' the 59-year-old said. 

'When you have a person who's been a custodian for hardworking artists, and you suddenly find out his private life is not honourable, it's disgusting. 

'His actions are disgusting. They're despicable.'

Ceberano said that 'because of his social standing and connections', many had assumed Carr 'was a good person.'

'And yet we discover this underworld of terrible things,' she said. 

Ceberano ceased working with Carr in 2018 and is now managed by her husband, Lee Rogers. 

She says that she has spoken to other former clients of Carr, including singer Vanessa Amorosi and his ex-wife, Tina Arena, about his imprisonment. 

'They've been discreet about it. We don't want to be associated with him,' she said. 

Carr was convicted of raping a woman at his Melbourne home in the early hours of March 24, 2023, after she became emotional discussing a relationship break-up.

In August, Carr, known for his flashy dress sense and wig, appeared on a videolink bald, clean-shaven and wearing prison greens after he was found guilty and convicted of two counts of rape and one of sexual assault. 

He had been holding out hope for a stay of sentence which would have led to a bail application and probable release if successful.

Top silk Dermot Dann KC, for Carr, ran the stay application, telling the court the guilty verdicts were the 'most obvious miscarriage of justice' he had seen in his more than three decades of being a lawyer.

However, Judge Frank Gucciardo refused the stay application before he denounced Carr's offending as being 'very serious'.

'Your conduct was appalling,' Judge Gucciardo said.

'You took advantage of her at a point in time when she was not only intoxicated but vulnerable and in need of comfort and at a point in which she looked to you for care and support.

'It was at that point, instead you chose to abuse that trust in the most abhorrent manner.'

Judge Gucciardo said Carr 'did not desist' despite constant urgings from the victim she did not want to have sex with him. 

Mr Dann previously told the court his client maintained his innocence which is why they sought the extraordinary stay of sentence application.

'For someone who maintains innocence, this is a terrible, terrible situation,' Mr Dann said.

The court heard Carr, a prominent showbiz and sports management figure once married to pop star Tina Arena, had self-harmed by banging his head against a wall moments after his conviction.

A close friend told the Daily Mail he believed Carr would certainly appeal the convictions.

Multiple friends and family gave character references on behalf of Carr. 

Carr was jailed for a maximum of six years with a minimum of four years. 

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit their website. In an emergency, call 000.