McGrath real estate agent Adrian Bo sacked over alleged lewd comments
The name of the McGrath agent at the centre of a lewd comment scandal has been scrubbed from the agency’s signage, as staff were warned not to speak publicly about the inquiry that led to his sacking.
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McGrath real estate staff have been gagged over the “c--k in the mouth” comment scandal, with chief executive officer Geoff Lucas warning they would face disciplinary action if they spoke out.
In a stern email sent to staff last night, Mr Lucas directed staff members not to speak to external parties about the internal HR investigation involving its sacked head of sales Adrian Bo in a bid to draw a line under an alleged complaint that he asked a younger colleague a lewd question.
The complaint triggered an internal three-week probe overseen by an external lawyer which concluded last night, with McGrath executives announcing Mr Bo had left the company and his contract had been terminated with immediate effect.
This morning Adrian Bo’s name was plastered over the shop frontage of the soon to open Double Bay McGrath office, however a workman was later seen erasing the white lettering announcing his position as interim head of sales.
Mr Lucas told staff in an email seen by the Daily Telegraph: “If you are approached by any external party seeking comment or information with respect to the investigation, you are directed to provide no comment …
“If any employee provides comment in such circumstances, it may result in disciplinary action.”
It goes on: “Any conversations about this investigation, its recommendations or findings, are unhelpful and hinder our ability to move forward as an organisation”.
The email says that the investigation has been “stressful for a number of people”.
A spokesman for McGrath said Mr Lucas was restating the company’s code of conduct in his email in relation to whistleblowers and media policy.
“It is our policy to protect those who are involved in confidential complaints and processes to handle them,” spokesman Tim Allerton said.
“The staff email relates specifically to the current issue we have dealt with.”
The demise of the company’s lieutenant Adrian Bo, who has served 25 years at the helm of McGrath’s Coogee branch, comes despite his denial to The Daily Telegraph that he asked a much younger male staffer, “How many c … ks have you had in your mouth?” outside a branch office three weeks ago.
The announcement last night from McGrath confirmed the contractor and interim co-head of sales had left the company.
“McGrath Limited … has confirmed that one of its contractors and interim co-head of sales, Adrian Bo, has left the company following an inquiry into claims of alleged misconduct against him by a staff member,’’ the statement read.
“After a complaint was made, McGrath carried out a thorough and independent inquiry to investigate the claims against Mr Bo, who denied them and took leave during this process. As a result of the inquiry, Mr Bo’s contract has been terminated, effective immediately.”
Mr Bo took annual leave while the complaint was investigated. He is said to be deeply distressed by the claims.
“The company takes its responsibilities of promoting inclusion and workplace safety seriously and will not tolerate breaches of its code of conduct by its contractors or staff members,” chief executive Geoff Lucas said in the statement.
“I am personally committed to ensuring we have an environment that treats all workplace participants fairly and with respect.”
The initial advisory time frame for a ruling by the investigation team was last Monday ahead of the company AGM.
At the meeting, the complaint was not discussed by shareholders who were worried the salacious claim would impact the company’s performance in 2020. Share prices at the publicly-listed company last week dropped 15 per cent over seven days to 28c.
The Daily Telegraph revealed Mr Bo was accused three weeks ago of making the lewd comments, which he strenuously denied, saying: “I’ve got no idea about any of this, it is absolutely ridiculous. Someone is feeding you lies, the industry is full of jealous competition, I am shocked and upset.”
In a separate incident, a woman resigned in June last year from the firm’s Edgecliff office, citing Mr Bo as one reason for her decision to leave.
In her letter of departure dated June 15, 2018 said wrote:
“I am not comfortable working in the business with Adrian Bo.’’
Mr Bo has been in the industry for 30-plus years.
Originally published as McGrath real estate agent Adrian Bo sacked over alleged lewd comments