Craig Kelly’s office adviser to face court following investigation into historic sexual assault allegations
Frank Zumbo, the office adviser for NSW MP Craig Kelly, will face court today charged with sexually assaulting three women and one teenage girl while at work over the course of six years leading up to 2020.
Mr Zumbo is facing a string of sexual assault related charges involving four alleged victims including three women aged between 23 and 27 as well as a 16-year-old girl.
Police first began their investigation into Mr Zumbo in August last year following reports the 16-year-old was indecently assaulted by a man, known to her.
Over the course of the investigation a number of women came forward, alleging they were assaulted by the same man.
Police arrested the 53-year-old about 5.40pm yesterday and charged him with two counts of aggravated – sexually touch another person, seven counts of aggravated indecent assault, and nine counts of common assault.
Police allege the man sexually touched and indecently assaulted the four victims on multiple occasions in the workplace between 2014 and 2020.
Mr Zumbo was refused bail and is due to appear at Parramatta Local Court today while police continue their investigation.
Mr Kelly, who represents a seat in Sydney’s south, resigned from the Liberal Party earlier this year and is currently serving as an Independent MP.
Mr Kelly released a statement after Mr Zumbo’s arrest.
“In a free and democratic country, every citizen is entitled to the presumption of innocence and protection by the rule of law,” Mr Kelly said.
“I have spoken with Mr Zumbo and he advises that he categorically denies all accusations and he will vigorously defend the matter.
“Further, given he has been subject to over 12 months of innuendo and rumour (which coincidentally was ramped up after I left the government benches) he looks forward to the opportunity of clearing his name before the courts.
“I would also add that none of the complainants ever brought these historical accusations to me at any time, and the first time I became aware of them was when they were recently reported in the media.”
