“For those who know me, they know that under no circumstances would I ever intentionally ignore violent behaviour or cover up issues within any of my businesses,” Maurice wrote. “The allegations are not ones against me directly yet the inferences have been hurtful and damaging to my reputation.”
Maurice has employed Sylvester in five major restaurants in Sydney and Melbourne since 2022 including Cucina Povera Vino Vero, Jacksons on George and CicciaBella. The pair opened Snack Kitchen in Potts Point last year. Their latest venture, Billy the Pig, opened in Bondi Junction last week.
None of the alleged sexual incidents occurred inside Maurice’s venues, but several of his alleged victims first met Sylvester at one of the hospitality veteran’s restaurants or connected businesses.
Sylvester has also been accused of keeping an album full of photos of naked or semi-naked women and storing the albums at Maurice’s house. Maurice and Sylvester denied the allegations.
Maurice’s hospitality network has ballooned to two dozen venues since he founded Icebergs Dining Room in Bondi more than two decades ago.
Sylvester and Maurice Terzini also worked together at Jacksons on George.Credit: Steven Siewert
“The spotlight on me and that which comes from running one of the most recognised restaurants in the world carries with it an obligation to ensure that I communicate truthfully with my much-loved industry and the community in which I have operated, for almost forty years,” Maurice said on Saturday.
“On a personal level, as a father and an employer, I have for decades done my best to provide genuine care and opportunities to all of those around me and within my businesses.”
The alleged attacks have destroyed relationships in the industry, with several alleged victims having close ties to the family that redefined modern Italian dining in Australia.
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Multiple women warned Maurice about his son’s troubling behaviour between 2018 and 2022. Former close professional and personal contacts of the Terzinis claim Maurice responded by shifting him between venues in Sydney and Melbourne. The alleged victims have described Maurice’s protection of his son as “disgusting”. Maurice has denied any inappropriate conduct.
“As a father, my priority has always been my children. In this storm, my mother reminded me that sometimes as parents we act with the best intentions, but sometimes we are challenged,” Maurice said on Saturday.
Maurice is on leave from Icebergs Dining Room as its investors launch an investigation into the allegations raised by this masthead.
Maurice founded the Bondi institution in 2002, but he is now a minority shareholder in a larger Icebergs group co-owned by hoteliers Damien Reed and Deke Miskin. The Icebergs brand has been described as “the jewel in the crown” of Maurice’s hospitality empire. Icebergs secured multimillion-dollar deals with Sydney Airport and Crown Barangaroo last year.
“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,” Maurice said on Saturday.
“My commitment to my business partners, investors, stakeholders and valued teams will continue.”
Terzini’s other investment partners including DTL Entertainment, run by Steve Bannigan, Paul Ford and Michael Broome, have not responded to requests for comment.
