BOOGIE FIGHTS
Strip club boss and VIP frontman in ugly legal row over $500 tip
GLITTER Strip icon Jimmy Ozturk (main photo) is suing Hollywood Showgirls after falling out with long-time boss Craig Duffy (inset).
Mr Ozturk is claiming unfair dismissal after Mr Duffy accused him of pocketing a $500 tip.
A GOLD Coast strip club owner and iconic VIP host are in a spectacular public falling out over an alleged $500 tip.
Hollywood Showgirls owner Craig Duffy and longtime streetside frontman Jimmy Ozturk are locking horns at the Fair Work Commission (FWC) with the latter claiming unfair dismissal against the company which runs the strip club.
Mr Ozturk had worked as Hollywood’s VIP host in Surfers Paradise for 11 years until his departure late last year.
At the time, the 69-yearold told the Bulletin he was retiring his post to spend more time with grandkids and travel with his wife.
But a FWC decision granting him a green light to pursue an unfair dismissal claim details an ugly row with Mr Duffy, Hollywood’s founder.
The FWC decision summarises Mr Ozturk’s claim that in September last year a Hollywood patron “allegedly paid (Mr Ozturk) a $500 tip”.
“On 10 October, 2017, the Employer’s director, Mr Craig Duffy, advised (Mr Ozturk) he was suspended for stealing $500 from (the patron),” the FWC decision says.
Mr Ozturk met his employer in late October and was told he “was still suspended”, the decision says.
Three weeks later on November 15, Mr Ozturk was paid $4858 in final Hollywood entitlements. Next day he filed for unfair dismissal.
At the initial FWC hearing three weeks ago Mr Ozturk’s lawyer Jason Murakami read out a text message from Mr Duffy to his client: “I’ve investigated a complaint re the $500 you took off a client five weeks ago. Effective immediately, I’m suspending you. The evidence is overwhelming, it’s not good ... $500 off the customer’s not on. It’s been a long time but retiring gracefully is the best option.”
Mr Murakami told the FWC further texts from Mr Duffy to Mr Ozturk say he is “permanently suspended until I say so. If you want, go find another job. Customer complaint you taking $500 is not (expletive) on, end of story”.
But Mr Murakami also produced a text sent by the Showgirls patron to Mr Ozturk, saying: “Best of luck with the boss. Like I said, if he feels like he needs to call me about the money, you have my number. For me it was no big deal but for him it’s like the Titanic sinking. I think everything will be good when he sees it’s all legit.”
Mr Duffy nor a representative for him or his company appeared at the hearing.
The row is set to erupt further with the FWC ruling Mr Ozturk’s application for unfair dismissal was lodged within the time required and could proceed.
The employment dispute is a long way from the harmonious relationship Mr Duffy and Mr Ozturk once shared.
Mr Duffy, reflecting in the
Bulletin in 2016 on his VIP host’s 35-year run as a Gold Coast nightclub frontman, called him “a tourist icon”.
“I travel interstate often and one thing people always ask me is ‘Is that immaculately dressed cool guy Jimmy still there?’,” Mr Duffy said at the time.
Known for his snappy suits, Mr Duffy added Mr Ozturk was a “good look for the business, it’s class, a bit old school and what we’re about”.
Mr Ozturk spoke about Mr Duffy in similarly glowing terms in a 2014 Bulletin profile: “Duffy is very honest, very smart when it comes to business. He looks after all his staff, pays well. If you have a problem, you can talk to him. He’ll actually try to help you.”
Mr Murakami said yesterday: “The Fair Work Commission’s recent decision is welcomed by my client and he looks forward to the directors of his former employer being cross-examined under oath at trial.”
Mr Duffy did not respond to the Bulletin by deadline.