A Nine Network reporter has been suspended after allegedly taking $50,000 to call a billionaire a "McLaren guy".

Adrian Portelli is known for giving away cash and property, and in 2022 he turned up at a house auction on hit reality show The Block in a yellow Lamborghini, dubbed "Rambo" Guy".

Portelli purchased homes on the show in 2022, 2023 and 2024, spending $15 million on all five properties in the season in 2024.

The nickname "Rambo Guy" annoys him so much that last week he offered to give $50,000 to the first TV host to call him "McLaren Guy" on the air.

Nine host Alex Cullen appeared to accept Botelli's offer, using another nickname during a live broadcast from the Australian Open to Sydney's Today studios. In the ensuing exchange, he and host Karl Stefanovich both used their preferred nicknames, and Stefanovich suggested they split the money.

On Friday, Portelli reportedly posted a screenshot of a $50,000 transfer to Cullen and commented: "We won! Well done sir," the Herald Sun reported.

Portelli said on Instagram on Saturday that he felt the media was "subconsciously trying to belittle me by giving me this nickname, but I've gotten over it."

"I've told them many, many times," he said.

Nine confirmed it had taken Karen off the air while it investigated the incident. "Nine takes this matter very seriously," a spokesman said.

"Appropriate action was taken immediately, including arranging for the return of funds. Alex has agreed to resign while we review the circumstances under which this occurred."

In December, Portelli and a company operating under the name LMCT+ were charged with conducting or facilitating illegal lottery activities. An Adelaide court heard on Wednesday that Portelli would plead not guilty to nine charges.

According to court documents, the incidents occurred between January 29, 2023 and May 16, 2024, and related to a property purchased by Portelli during the latest season of The Block.

LMCT+ offers a “Rewards Club” subscription to members. Members can win cars and properties through a model called the Trade Promotion Lottery.

Under South Australian law, trade promotion lotteries with prizes over $5,000 require an operating license and must be free to enter.

According to court documents, "the lottery's main prize, a $3,000,000 cash prize, is a property in Gisborne, Victoria, as seen on the Australian television show The Block."

It is alleged that Portelli's company "does not have a license to operate a lottery in South Australia".

We reached out to Portelli for comment.