Threats alleged as Showgirls work dispute goes to umpire

ALLEGED text threats from a Surfers Paradise strip club owner to his former VIP frontman tell him to retire or face publicity for pocketing a $500 tip, the latter’s lawyer claims.

Legal beagle Jason Murakami has submitted to the Fair Work Commission that ex-Hollywood Showgirls VIP host Jimmy Ozturk was “forced to resign” from his long-held position late last year.

Mr Murakami, handling Mr Ozturk’s unfair dismissal claim, submitted to the FWC that a text from Hollywood owner Craig Duffy contained threats of adverse publicity.

An alleged text from Mr Duffy to Mr Ozturk reads: “After this text you won’t be hearing from me ever again except in court. I’ll issue instructions to lawyers today. Pic in wall of shame. Contact Bulletin and tell them the real story. CCTV footage online. Take out full page ad in paper. Do you really want to be stealing from me?”

In submissions to the FWC, Mr Murakami said the case fell within section 435 of the Queensland Criminal Code, which covers blackmail, extortion and demanding with menace.

“I don’t know what a ‘pic on wall of shame’ is Commissioner, but I’m assuming that’s a threat,” Mr Murakami said. “‘Release CCTV footage online’. Once again, a threat. ‘Take out full page ad in the paper’. Once again a threat.

“... the Commission ought to be concerned about the behaviour of the employer in this instance.

“An inference can be drawn, Mr Duffy does things the way Mr Duffy wants to do them...” Mr Murakami told the FWC.

Mr Murakami said he had provided material to the FWC showing Mr Ozturk had done nothing wrong.

Mr Duffy did not respond to Bulletin questions for comment by deadline.