Ex-Melbourne Football Club chief Ray Ellis accused over sacking of First National executive Ray Ellis, chief executive of First National Real Estate. A PROPERTY boss and former AFL club chief is accused of sacking an executive for lodging a stress claim after he allegedly stroked her breasts, and he yelled so much she fainted. The First National Real Estate network and its chief executive, Ray Ellis, are jointly named in a Federal Court lawsuit launched by former executive Karen Panna. In court documents, Ms Panna alleges she suffered verbal and physical harassment by Mr Ellis - a one-time Melbourne Football Club chief. But the lawyer representing Mr Ellis and First National vowed to vigorously defend the looming court case, and ­denied any wrongdoing by the network or its chief executive. Ms Panna alleges Mr Ellis stroked her breasts and told her she was beautiful as she lay on a couch in his office recovering after she fainted during a heated discussion about a $570 deduction from her salary. On another occasion, Mr Ellis allegedly stroked her arm after she had a flu jab and said "next time get it on your bum," the court documents claim. Ms Panna's claim also alleges she and other senior executives heard Mr Ellis in late 2011 threatening to kill or harm "certain people," which caused her to fear for her safety. Her lawyer, Naomi Riggs of Shine Lawyers, said the case would centre on whether Ms Panna was axed from her $160,000-a-year role because she lodged an accepted WorkCover claim. Lawyer Alan Read, representing Mr Ellis and First National, said Ms Panna's employment was terminated while she was off on leave - but not because of her WorkCover claim. "Ms Panna's employment was terminated on the unanimous resolution of the board of directors," Mr Read said. While a formal defence has not yet been filed with the court, Mr Read said the matter would be strongly fought. Mr Ellis has been CEO of First National - one of Australia's largest real estate networks - since 2004. He was chief executive of Melbourne Football Club in 2003 but left in 2004 after the club lost $2.2 million. Ms Panna, 49, claims she has suffered financial loss, hurt and humiliation, and damage to her professional reputation.