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Sydney nightlife investigation
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Investigation
From the Merivale empire to Bondi Icebergs, Australia’s giants of hospitality are in the spotlight across a series of investigations by the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Good Food and 60 Minutes.
23 stories
Exclusive
Liberal leaders distance themselves from Hemmes as Merivale faces investigation
NSW Liberal leader said he would back “any worker who speaks up” in relation to the Merivale allegations months after the billionaire hosted a party fundraiser.
- 19 minutes ago
- by Eryk Bagshaw, Jessica McSweeney and Bianca Hrovat
Exclusive
The criminals, MPs and VIPs: How Hemmes went from party-boy billionaire to political operator
As the head of the Merivale empire’s political capital rose, so did the future criminals who swelled the membership ranks of its private club, Level 6.
- Today, 5.00am
- by Eryk Bagshaw, Bianca Hrovat and Natalie Clancy
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‘He has destroyed my life’: Emma’s nightmare in the heart of the Terzini empire
Maurice Terzini and Emma Addams had plans to take the renowned Bondi Icebergs restaurant global. Instead, she says their three-year marriage has left her broke and devastated.
- June 29, 2025
- by Clare Sibthorpe, Eryk Bagshaw and Natalie Clancy
Investigation
Mexican chefs were sold the Australian dream by Merivale. It was all ‘smoke screens and make-believe’
Fair Work is investigating one of Australia’s largest hospitality companies over fresh claims of underpayment and exploitation.
- June 30, 2025
- by Bianca Hrovat, Eryk Bagshaw and Natalie Clancy
Exclusive
‘King of Bondi’ Maurice Terzini forced out of Icebergs
The restaurateur once hosted Oprah Winfrey and Nigella Lawson at the Bondi institution. He has now sold his last shares in the restaurant he founded two decades ago.
- June 30, 2025
- by Eryk Bagshaw and Clare Sibthorpe
Exclusive
‘We’ve let the wolf into the den’: Fresh allegations against Merivale raise further concerns
Lord Mayor Nick Reece has continued to defend the city’s sale of the Parkade car park to the Merivale group despite allegations of underpayment and exploitation by the hospitality giant.
- June 30, 2025
- by Cara Waters
Exclusive
Texts reveal hospitality king knew of sex assault claims against son as more victims come forward
There are now at least nine alleged victims of Sylvester Terzini, with texts showing Icebergs founder Maurice Terzini allegedly paid $60,000 to help his son.
- March 22, 2025
- by Clare Sibthorpe and Eryk Bagshaw
Exclusive
Hospitality king Maurice Terzini resigns as Bondi Icebergs director
His resignation comes after allegations he protected his son Sylvester Terzini following multiple sexual assault claims. Both have denied the allegations.
- March 26, 2025
- by Eryk Bagshaw and Clare Sibthorpe
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Merivale VIP allegedly sexually touched waitress as a ‘present’ to himself
He allegedly attempted to undo a waitress’s top as a “present” to himself, a court has heard, as he was served a bump of caviar in one of the hospitality giant’s venues in Coogee.
- May 2, 2025
- by Eryk Bagshaw
‘Devastating, damaging, hurtful’: Maurice Terzini responds to sexual assault claims against son
The Icebergs founder also says he is a victim of attacks on his reputation.
- March 23, 2025
- by Eryk Bagshaw and Clare Sibthorpe
Exclusive
Maurice Terzini to take leave from Icebergs, investors launch investigation
An Icebergs Dining Room spokesperson said Maurice Terzini will take a leave of absence after allegations against his son revealed by this masthead.
- March 14, 2025
- by Eryk Bagshaw and Clare Sibthorpe
Investigation
From Bondi’s Icebergs to Melbourne fine dining: Son of Terzini empire accused of sexual attacks and violence
Diners think of the ocean, sand and trendy Italo-Australian cuisine. Alleged victims think of a powerful father wrestling with his son’s dark secrets.
- March 14, 2025
- by Clare Sibthorpe and Eryk Bagshaw
Exclusive
Merivale’s position on government council in peril after staff claims
Six Swillhouse and Merivale whistleblowers have urged the NSW government to establish a public inquiry into the treatment of women and misconduct in the hospitality sector.
- November 6, 2024
- by Eryk Bagshaw and Bianca Hrovat
Investigation
‘I will not be silenced’: More Swillhouse staff allege sexual assaults, drug taking and workplace abuse
Three staff say they were sexually abused by colleagues and that the company marginalised them. Their claims come on top of earlier allegations by other Swillhouse workers.
- November 4, 2024
- by Eryk Bagshaw and Bianca Hrovat
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Exclusive
‘One step from being a brothel’: Sex, drugs, harassment alleged in Ivy penthouse
An extensive investigation has revealed claims of exploitation of female staff at hospitality giant Merivale. The company denies this.
- October 29, 2024
- by Eryk Bagshaw and Bianca Hrovat
Exclusive
Merivale steps down from restaurant association, Hemmes tells staff he is ‘devastated’
Merivale chief executive Justin Hemmes says he is “devastated” by allegations levelled at his company.
- October 29, 2024
- by Bianca Hrovat and Eryk Bagshaw
Sexual assault allegations lead to resignations at Swillhouse
The editor of lifestyle publication Swill Mag and the general manager announce their departures from the troubled hospitality group.
- September 14, 2024
- by Bianca Hrovat
Opinion
The Good Food Guide drops Swillhouse venues, introduces workplace culture award
It’s the biggest evolution to the Guide’s approach to reviews in its four-decade history.
- September 9, 2024
- by Sarah Norris
Exclusive
‘I hope you learn’: Two brave women go public with claims against Swillhouse
Rachelle “Rocky” Hair was the first female bartender at Swillhouse venues and Jenna Hemsworth was Australian Bartender of the Year in 2018. They won’t be silenced.
- August 24, 2024
- by Eryk Bagshaw and Bianca Hrovat
Inside the Herald’s investigation into sex and sleaze in Sydney’s hospitality industry
This is how the Herald uncovered allegations of sexual assaults and drug-taking at a top Sydney restaurant group.
- August 23, 2024
- by Bevan Shields and Sarah Norris
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Bartender of the Year alleges sexual assault at Swillhouse as SafeWork NSW probes claims
The NSW government authority will examine the disturbing allegations at hospitality group Swillhouse, as bartender Jenna Hemsworth identifies herself as a complainant.
- August 23, 2024
- by Eryk Bagshaw and Bianca Hrovat
Exclusive
Swillhouse scandal: The sordid bet that unfolded behind the bank vault door at Baxter Inn
Graphic content: When hospitality group Swillhouse opened a new whisky bar, the all-male team was issued a challenge: a special prize for being to the first to have sex with a customer.
- August 22, 2024
- by Bianca Hrovat and Eryk Bagshaw
Exclusive
Sex, sleaze and Swillhouse: The sinister side of the glitzy hospitality scene
One of Sydney’s top bar and restaurant groups allegedly pushed female staff out of the company after reporting sexual assaults and encouraged staff to have sex with patrons and take drugs on duty.
- August 21, 2024
- by Eryk Bagshaw and Bianca Hrovat
