Former MP Craig Kelly adviser Frank Zumbo claims ‘volatile relationship’

The manager of Craig Kelly’s office took to the witness box to tell his version of events after being accused of sexually touching five women he employed.

Frank Zumbo is accused of indecently assaulting five young women.

The adviser to former federal MP Craig Kelly has taken to the stand telling the court he felt “used” and “manipulated” by his female employee half his age.

Francesco ‘Frank’ Zumbo, 55, has pleaded not guilty to 20 charges of sexual touching and indecent assault after five women made allegations of misconduct while they worked in the office of Mr Kelly between 2014 and 2020.

Zumbo denies all allegations and claims no sexual conduct occurred.

The hearing is in its third week at Downing Centre Local Court. Picture: Newswire / Brendan Read

On Thursday, Zumbo, who was employed as the officer manager, gave his version of events telling the court he had a “social greeting” when employees came into and left the office.

“It was a gentle hug, kiss on the cheek but only after I knew the relevant person for an extended period of time … I would also ask them if they felt comfortable with the social greeting,” he said.

When asked why he greeted the women like that he said, “I was just trying to take the nasty edge of the office”, adding that some of the women said “no” to the greeting.

Zumbo told the court he did not greet the men with a kiss but would give them a “rigorous hug” but it was not typical in his Italian culture for men to greet an “uncle” with a kiss.

He did admit he would touch the women on the leg sometimes in the car or office.

“An open palm with a tap on the knee … I was always conscious to make it close to the knee,” Zumbo said, adding the women never asked him to not do it.

Zumbo described it as a “reflex action” and said “I did not linger … it was just a signing off, a high five in sense”.

Frank Zumbo pictured with his legal team during his hearing. Picture: Newswire / Brendan Read

The former political adviser and UNSW associate professor said he had an emotional attachment to the women in the office who he called “the sisters”.

The court heard allegations Zumbo squeezed one of the woman’s breasts during hugs, squeezed her bottom, kissed her on the lips on one occasion and multiple times toughed her thighs and rubbed her vagina.

The court previously heard a recording of Zumbo talking the woman where he told her he was “falling in love” with her, adding he “grew close to her” and “had a lot of respect for her”.

“She was the complete political package … I fell in love with what she represented,” he said on the stand.

Magistrate Gareth Christofi asked, “you had fallen in love with a 19 or 20 year old?”

Frank Zumbo having a meal with Craig Kelly. Source: Supplied

“I felt she was very mature … yes I did,” Zumbo said.

Zumbo said there was a “platonic love” but he was “not physically attracted to her at all”.

But minutes later he said the relationship had “disintegrated” and claimed she was “manipulative” towards him and “vindictive”

“It was a volatile relationship … I felt used … it impacted on my wellbeing,” Zumbo said.

“Overtime she fell off the pedestal and the gloss came off.”

When asked if he terminated the woman’s employment he said he felt “trapped” and that he had to help her.

Zumbo was asked if he kissed the woman on the lips to which he replied “no”.

Meanwhile, Zumbo said he was friends with his employees on Facebook so they could see what he was doing, and had an “understanding of my political interaction”.

“If they had an issue about me, they should address it to me … if they were saying A to me to my face and B [about me] behind my back … I needed them to be honest … in politics [honesty is not common],” he said.

Zumbo also claimed he did not look through one of the girls’ phones as alleged by the complainants.

He claimed he was trying to pull an “elaborate bluff” on the women because he suspected them of talking about him behind his back.

“The trust issues grew because they weren’t willing to admit that they were talking behind my back.”

The hearing continues.