Ex-MP Craig Kelly‘s adviser Frank Zumbo seeks to appeal his convictions

A former political staffer to ex-MP Craig Kelly found guilty of sexual misconduct and indecent assault against four female employees is seeking to appeal his convictions.

Frank Zumbo (left) is seeking to appeal his convictions. Picture: Newswire / Brendan Read

The adviser to former federal MP Craig Kelly and self proclaimed “ultimate good boy” has lodged an appeal against his eight assault convictions.

Francesco “Frank” Zumbo, 56, was last year found guilty of seven charges of aggravated indecent assault with a victim under the authority of the offender and one charge of assault with act of indecency.

He had been sentenced to an aggregate term of imprisonment of two years to be served by way of intensive correction order in the community.

These assaults are said to have occurred with multiple women during their employment with Mr Kelly between 2014 and 2020.

Zumbo has denied all allegations, claimed no sexual conduct occurred and is currently appealing his convictions.

Frank Zumbo was found guilty of sexual misconduct and indecent assault against four female employees while he was their boss. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

In the Sydney District Court on Thursday, a recording of a conversation between Zumbo and one of the complainants was played.

In this hours-long recording, the court heard Zumbo, who called himself the “ultimate good boy”, tell one of the complainants how he’d given her “my affection, my love,” and he had given her a “kiss” and showered her with his “affection”.

The court heard a recorded conversation between Zumbo and one of the complainants. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“There’s no point in me kissing you because you obviously feel awkward about physical contact,” Zumbo said.

“You need to have a proper, proper think about this. I’m the ultimate good boy, the perfect boyfriend... I give you total control.”

The court heard the complainant repeatedly tell Zumbo she saw him as a friend, with the former adviser persistently seeking a “special friendship” with her.

“I’ve done much, much more than any of your friends have ever done,” he said.

Frank Zumbo pictured with solicitor Michael Moussa (left) leaving Downing Centre Courts in Sydney CBD. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“If it means a little kiss on the cheek and a hug as a friend for everything that I’ve given you, and everything that I’ll give you in the future.

“I still love you, I still platonically love you, and I will always love you but you don’t even get into that space.”

Zumbo’s counsel Tim Kent, instructed by Michael Moussa of National Criminal Lawyers, argued there was a lack of “anything overtly sexual” in a recording heard in court.

“There was no attempt to proposition the complainant in relation to any unequivocally sexual behaviour,” Mr Kent said.

Zumbo’s lawyer argued the recording lacked “anything overtly sexual”. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“There was no aggression, there was no raising of the voice. This may have been a long conversation and one that the complainant didn’t enjoy, Your Honour. But it certainly wasn’t one in my submission.

“If there were threats or I would accept if she had said ‘I want to go home. I want to get out of the car. I’m scared’. Anything of that nature.”

However, the Crown prosecutor argued at the end of the day, Zumbo was “a supervisor” and a “professional mentor” to the complainant.

“He certainly wasn’t a friend in the way that he believed himself to be,” he said.

The matter will return to the same court on April 16.