Kristian Livolsi’s businesses have left positive reviews for each other online, but he says it’s not an issue

TWO of Adelaide businessman Kristian Livolsi’s businesses have left positive reviews for another of his operations, while an associate of his left a glowing review for now-closed eatery The Taxpayer.

• Kristian Livolsi in rent dispute

TWO of Adelaide businessman Kristian Livolsi’s businesses have left positive reviews for another of his operations, while an associate of his left a glowing review for now-closed eatery The Taxpayer.

Mr Livolsi, who is also an adjunct Professor in entrepreneurship at Adelaide University and Entrepreneur in Residence at the uni’s ThincLab incubator, told The Advertiser he wasn’t aware of the reviews but didn’t see the problem with them as there had been services delivered by the business in question.

A guide to online reviews on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s website states: “Reviews may mislead consumers if they are presented as impartial, but were written by: the reviewed business’’.

In a Facebook post from December 2016, by Mr Livolsi’s company EnergyDna, two of his other businesses, the Rob Roy Hotel and The Taxpayer, comment on the good service they have received from the company.

“Thanks to Energy DNA we were able to secure good rates well before our contract expired and in return protected us from a 25 per cent price increase. Thank you and a Merry Christmas,’’ the post reads.

The Taxpayer posts says, “The service and advice you provided us for the past three years has been very much valued and appreciated, thank you’’.

A post by an associate of Mr Livolsi’s whose Facebook profile indicates she works at his companies Seriously Good Food and Media Sociale, says The Taxpayer’s burgers are “a game changer, so much flavour and doesn’t leave you feeling that post-junk food feeling.

“Chips could do with a smidge more salt but that’s probably personal preference I guess.’’

That same associate of Mr Livolsi’s, posting purportedly on behalf of the Rob Roy Hotel, gave his company Media Sociale a five star review on Facebook, saying, “Amazing service, really go the extra mile to make we get the most of our online and social assets. - Rob Roy Hotel.’’

Mr Livolsi expressed surprise when notified of the reviews.

“Really, are you sure about that? I’m not sure where you’re going with this.’’

When run through the details he said he believed there was no issue.

“There’s nothing wrong with a former employee or a current employee to leave a review. There’s no breach of the Act.

“EnergyDNA does all of the energy work for those businesses, so they’re clients, and they’re paying clients.

“So there is a transaction.’’

Mr Livolsi said he employed many people and didn’t personally write the EnergyDNA comments, and they were “true and relevant” as both companies were genuine clients of EnergyDNA.

Mr Livolsi said The Advertiser was conducting a “witch-hunt” against him.

The Advertiser reported on Thursday that Mr Livolsi was involved in a dispute over an alleged $30,000 rent debt related to his former eatery, The Taxpayer.

Mr Livolsi said the debt was disputed.

The business is now closed. Mr Livolsi told The Advertiser the intent was to reopen it elsewhere, however. Mr Livolsi is the sole director of The Taxpayer Pty Ltd, which is co-owned with Frank Vounasis.

Notices are displayed at the premises which state that Sinnon Pty Ltd, which owns the premises, had entered the premises and “distrained” various assets.

It is alleged The Taxpayer Pty Ltd is in “default as lessee under and pursuant to a written Memorandum of Lease and various Deeds of Extension of Lease in respect of the premises … including your failure to pay rent in accordance with the Lease and as demanded in writing on various occasions’’.

Sinnon is claiming $30,464.52 plus $1500 in estimated costs.

Mr Livolsi, who is also the publican of the Rob Roy Hotel on Halifax St said it was “not a big issue”.

Mr Livolsi said the focus should be on the good work he does.

“What do I do for innovation in this state? How many people have I employed and how many companies have I helped scale who have gone on to do amazing things that politicians are now talking about.’’

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