Billionaire Justin Hemmes emailed 5,000 of his employees Tuesday afternoon to say he is “devastated” by allegations made about behavior at the Ivy, part of his hotel empire.
The exclusive nightclub frequented by high rollers is facing explosive allegations of sexual assault, harassment and grooming, along with copious drug use thanks to CCTV ‘blind spots’.
In the email to staff, first reported by The Sydney Morning HeraldHemmes wrote that he was “devastated to read the allegations against Merivale relating to our staff and our culture.”
‘Please be assured that we are taking this matter very seriously and do not condone, encourage or condone any of the behavior that has been alleged.
“We will continue to work to address all allegations made in today’s article.”
Level 6, located in Sydney’s CBD as part of the group of Ivy-branded venues owned by Mr Hemmes’ Merivale group, was “one step away from becoming a brothel”, an anonymous manager told Nine newspapers.
Staff at the luxury venue, where membership costs $10,000 a year, have detailed allegations of sexual assault and being pressured to please the mostly wealthy male clientele.
In exchange, the carefully selected group of glamorous young women, mostly between 18 and 21, employed as “hostesses” would take home Gucci handbags and up to $600 in tips for a couple of nights of work.
Billionaire Justin Hemmes (pictured right) emailed 5,000 of his employees on Tuesday afternoon to say he is “devastated” by allegations made about behavior at Ivy, part of his hotel empire.
The club’s raunchy tone is set by the decor and furnishings, including a photo of a half-naked woman with the word ‘Dreamlover’ tattooed on her chest, as well as a stripper pole.
Merivale operates more than 70 hotel properties in New South Wales and Victoria.
“The most important thing on my mind is my concern for all of you, and especially the distress caused by the slander that has been leveled at those who work, and have worked in the past, at Merivale and within the hospitality industry generally,” Hemmes said. in your email to staff.
“I am extremely saddened that today’s article so broadly denigrates everything we do.”
More to come…