Face masks: Stonnington Mayor Steve Stefanopoulos accused of abusing Grill’d Malvern staff
A Melbourne mayor is accused of ‘aggressive’ and ‘violent’ behaviour and making other customers feel ‘frightened’ in an alleged outburst at burger shop staff who were not wearing face masks.
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A Melbourne mayor who recently spent $102,000 of ratepayers’ money on an office upgrade is accused of allegedly abusing staff for not wearing face masks and displaying “violent” and “aggressive” behaviour in a burger restaurant.
Stonnington Mayor Steve Stefanopoulos refused to answer questions about the alleged incident at Malvern’s Grill’d store on Tuesday, July 14 at the council’s meeting on Monday.
Cr Judy Hindle posed three questions to chief executive Jacqui Weatherill about the mayor’s alleged behaviour at the Glenferrie Rd burger shop after she received two emails from community members.
The Leader has seen unnamed emails from staff and customers at the store who witnessed the alleged incident.
The customer claimed Cr Stefanopoulos was “rude, loud and aggressive and appeared unable to control himself” and threatened to call police.
“The man was aggressive and was so violent in his anger and language that people looked frightened,” the customer wrote.
“I had no idea who this man was until he screamed ‘I am the mayor of Stonnington.’
“The man threatened to call the police and made disgusting statements that “young people” had caused all of this.”
The staff member claimed Cr Stefanopoulos “yelled so loudly that I witnessed split flying from his mouth towards my co-workers and food that was being prepared (all while he was ironically not wearing a mask himself).
“I felt quite down and ashamed that not only an adult, but our mayor, had personally publicly criticised our team’s efforts in such a way,’’ they wrote.
Cr Hindle asked Ms Weatherill if Cr Stefanopoulos would issue a public apology, if it was right for a councillor to threaten traders with police action, and if he thought young people were to blame for the coronavirus outbreak.
Ms Weatherill said Cr Stefanopoulos had already apologised over the incident, before he stepped in and said “I am not going to talk about a matter in my private life that does not relate to council in a council meeting”.
Grill’d spokesman Aaron Fitzgerald confirmed on Friday “a customer” had contacted the burger chain’s head office concerned about face mask use.
Mr Fitzgerald said they reassured the customer of Grill’d’s commitments to safety and social distancing and face masks would be rolled out to all stores early this week.
“Our team at all our restaurants have and will continue to do a stellar job during this tough time and we’re lock-step with the rest of Melbourne in staying positive, staying safe and caring for each other,” Mr Fitzgerald said.
Ratepayers Stonnington president Dean Hurlston called for Cr Stefanopoulos to resign.
“We are amid a global pandemic, the time for leadership and sensitivity is now and kindness is important,” he said.
“If these reports are true, a mayor behaving in this manor must be called on to resign immediately and publicly apologise to all residents in Stonnington for this behaviour.
“There is no place for this behaviour with any elected official.”
In a statement, Ms Weatherill said Cr Stefanopoulos had apologised to Grill’d staff for “his overzealous behaviour.”
“I invited Grill’d management and staff to discuss their concerns with me, however I understand they are satisfied with the apology and expect no further action,” Ms Weatherill said.
“The mayor has been a passionate advocate for good hygiene and social distancing practice during this pandemic.”
Cr Stefanopoulos has been contacted for comment.
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