Country Road Group’s parent company orders staff not to speak out over sex assault scandal

The boss of Country Road Group’s parent company has ordered staff not to speak out over a sexual assault scandal that has rocked the famous fashion brand.

The boss of Country Road Group’s parent company has gagged staff from speaking out over the sexual assault scandal that has rocked the fashion brand.

In an email to staff on Tuesday morning, Roy Bagattini, the executive director and group chief executive of Country Road’s parent company Woolworths Holdings, expressed disappointment the crisis had been made public and ordered staff not to speak with media.

“You are no doubt aware that some of our team members have pre-emptively engaged with the media and this has resulted in various speculative news reports,” he said.

“The external attention on our company, through these news articles, can be unsettling and comes at a difficult time for yourselves but also for us as a company.

“Should you be contacted by the media, please refer them to Leonie Mayson, Group Communications Manager.

“I would again urge everyone to allow the process to conclude and allow for the facts to inform the outcome.”

Multiple allegations have been made against former Country Road Group executive Rachid Maliki. Picture: Supplied

Two legal firms are now probing the issues at Country Road Group. Picture: Timothy Cox

Relieved staff said media coverage of the issue appeared to have forced the company to fast track the release of a formal investigation into the scandal.

Mr Bagattini said the report was “almost complete” with findings to be released “shortly”.

“Miraculous that the report is now ready, a month earlier than planned,” one insider said.

Woolworths Holdings is a South African retail conglomerate and not related to the nation’s biggest supermarket chain.

Country Road Group’s stable of brands includes Country Road, Politix, Trenery, Witchery and Mimco.

The business is headquartered in Melbourne.

Country Road Group chief Raju Vuppalapati has been accused of covering up Mr Maliki’s conduct. Picture: John Feder

The Herald Sun revealed on Monday two legal firms have been appointed to investigate the handling of sexual assault allegations by Country Road after multiple allegations by males and females were filed against former senior executive Rachid Maliki.

Staff have accused the fashion brand, and chief executive Raju Vuppalapati, of what they see as a cover-up over Mr Maliki’s conduct, amid allegations of the repeated harassment of staff members including unsolicited touching and kissing.

Formal complaints were first lodged in October last year, but whistleblower staff have accused Mr Vuppalapati of protecting his friend, and former colleague at RM Williams, Mr Maliki.

Mr Maliki, who had been in the senior role since August 2022, had previously worked as a general manager at RM Williams while Mr Vuppalapati was chief executive of the shoe retailer.

Multiple sources said Mr Maliki faced similar allegations while at RM Williams.