A WOMAN has been ordered to pay her ex-partner's legal costs after making multiple unsubstantiated domestic violence order applications, which included claims of rape.
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The victim, who is a returned serviceman suffering post traumatic stress, lost his $80,000 job at Uncle Tobys in Wahgunyah after the claims were made.
He also spent a month in a mental health facility as a result of the court proceedings.
The man has applied to have Christine Zani declared a vexatious litigant, which would restrict her ability to take legal action.
The Wodonga Magistrates Court heard he was "quite ruined" financially by the allegations, which has led to Zani being charged with making false reports to police.
Zani, who also works at the Wahgunyah factory, will front court on Tuesday.
The court recently heard Zani had a habit of making claims to police, including two allegations of rape, which were without any basis.
She allegedly travelled to different police stations - Rutherglen, then Wodonga and Wangaratta - in a bid to avoid raising a pattern.
The court heard she made a claim in January last year about assault and property damage, which led to a temporary intervention order being issued.
It expired in June and Zani allegedly claimed she was the victim of an aggravated burglary and rape a few days later.
A third claim was allegedly made on Christmas Eve of sexual assault, rape and other assault.
All orders were withdrawn after Zani refused to provide statements and go to court.
The alleged victim has been co-operative with officers and has offered to hand over his phone and computer.
He made a statement about six pages long documenting the harassment, false accusations and complaints made against him.
The court heard he had provided information to investigators, with his lawyer Allison Vaughan noting he had done "everything to co-operate".
Magistrate Ian Watkins said "a succession of allegations have proved to be baseless".
He said the case involved "serious allegations of criminal conduct against (her ex-partner) and it would seem they are baseless".
"Family violence is a serious matter ... these proceedings are out of the ordinary," Mr Watkins said.
Zani must pay the man's legal fees of $2457, but can challenge the amount.
Mr Watkins said while Zani appeared to have acted "mala fides", or in bad faith, there was no criticism of the way police had handled the matter.
A summons needs to be issued against Zani as part of the vexatious litigant proceedings.
