Famed restaurateur Maurice Terzini has resigned as director of his most prominent venue, Bondi’s Icebergs Dining Room and Bar. His resignation comes after multiple untested sexual assault allegations against his son, Sylvester Terzini, reported by the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age last week.
Sylvester Terzini reportedly did not respond to detailed questions about specific allegations made by the SMH but vigorously denied the allegations. No charges have been laid. His lawyer said he had “no criminal history for violence or sexual misconduct”, according to the SMH report.
A childhood friend had previously reported allegations of misconduct about Sylvester to police but the charges were dismissed in May 2021, according to the report.
The SMH and the Age also alleged in their reports that they had evidence to suggest that the restaurateur was aware of multiple women who wanted to press charges against Sylvester. The reports made clear that Maurice Terzini denied engaging in any inappropriate conduct.
According to SMH, none of the alleged incidents took place inside Maurice Terzini’s venues, but claimed that multiple alleged victims initially met Sylvester at businesses linked to his father.
Maurice Terzini is not accused of any wrongdoing.
A spokesperson for Icebergs told Guardian Australia on Wednesday that Maurice Terzini had resigned.
“Maurice Terzini has agreed to resign as a director of the Icebergs Dining Room and Bar business, and has stood down from any involvement in the business as we conduct an independent review of the issues raised in the SMH reports,” a spokesperson for Icebergs told Guardian Australia. “That review is under way.”
Guardian Australia contacted Maurice’s lawyers for comment.
Maurice opened Icebergs Dining Room and Bar in Bondi in 2002. The 60-year-old restaurateur has operated more than 20 businesses in his four-decade career, including Melbourne’s Purple Pit, owned with Joe Jones, and the recently opened Billy the Pig in Bondi Junction, opened with DTL Entertainment’s Michael Broome.
Sylvester Terzini was employed at multiple restaurants owned by his father, including the permanently closed Snack Kitchen in Potts Points and permanently closed Cicciabella in Bondi and Parramatta.
Icebergs Dining Room and Bar and DTL Entertainment have been contacted for comment.
In an earlier statement posted to Instagram on Saturday, Maurice wrote: “allegations that have been made about one of my family members are devastating claims that have no place in our venues, industry or society,” he wrote.
“There are private health matters concerning one of my family members, where professional counsel has been sought.
“The allegations are not ones against me directly yet the inferences have been hurtful and damaging to my reputation.
“Processes and resources are in place in my businesses to ensure that all of our valued and loyal staff and our much loved guests, feel safe in our environments and that issues at any time, can be raised.
“I have taken some leave to allow my family some space to ensure that my business partners can conduct the independent reviews that they deem appropriate.”
Maurice also thanked industry friends for their support and said “under no circumstance would I ever intentionally ignore violent behaviour or cover up issues within any of my businesses”.
Maurice’s Instagram account has subsequently been set to private.
