Frank Zumbo arrested, charged with sexual touching

Federal MP Craig Kelly’s most trusted adviser has been granted bail after being charged following a lengthy investigation into sexual misconduct allegations.

A trusted adviser to federal MP Craig Kelly has been granted bail after being charged with sexually touching and indecently assaulting women.

Dressed in a white business shirt, Frank Zumbo appeared in Parramatta Bail Court via AVL on Saturday after a night in the police cells.

The 53-year-old, who is chief of staff at Mr Kelly’s Hughes electorate office, was arrested last night after a lengthy investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.

Zumbo, a close adviser to Mr Kelly, is accused of indecently assaulting four women, 23, 26, 27 and 16, between 2014 and 2020.

The investigation started with allegations raised by the 16-year-old girl last year and then three other women came forward.

The court heard some allegations relate to hugging and kissing on the cheek.

“This is a case that taking the prosecution case at its highest, it’s not a strong case,” his lawyer Michael Moussa said.

Frank Zumbo leaves Surry Hills police station after being granted bail. Picture: Damian Shaw

Zumbo had been granted police bail on Friday night but refused to sign the conditions, which would have banned him from speaking to three witnesses.

His lawyer successfully argued for that condition to be amended after reading from two of the witness statements, which supported Zumbo.

“I have never seen any untoward behaviour between Frank and (one of the complainants),” one statement read.

Mr Moussa said his client, a former law professor, was the breadwinner of his family and if the bail condition stood, he wouldn’t be able to work.

He also pleaded not guilty to “every single charge, all sequences”.

Craig Kelly’s office manager Frank Zumbo (right) with his lawyer Michael Moussa. Picture: Dylan Robinson

NSW Police applied for an apprehended violence order against Zumbo in protection of the 16-year-old girl last April.

“This gentleman has been before the court fighting his innocence since April, 2020,” Mr Moussa said.

The prosecution argued against the condition change.

Magistrate Rob Rabbidge granted Zumbo’s request to change the bail condition on the basis he doesn’t talk to those mentioned in court about the case.

“He holds a very significant position in our fine democracy. He is chief of staff at an MP (office).”

Zumbo works for Hughes MP Craig Kelly. (Photo by Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

Outside the courthouse, Mr Moussa said his client had denied the allegations since the beginning.

“The prosecution, particularly in relation to one of the complainants, has in my view a very weak case,” Mr Moussa said.

“In relation to the others, I think they are also weak cases.

“It is a case where the prosecution may need to disapprove any type of collusion.

“Again it begs the question why charges were only laid at this point.”