Who is Solomon Farah? High-profile Adelaide businessman charged with indecent assault of female job seekers

Solomon Farah, 67, was once at the top of Adelaide coffee chain Cibo. Now the high-profile businessman is facing allegations he indecently assaulted female job seekers. So who is he?

Solomon Farah, the former partner of well-known Adelaide cafe chain CIBO Espresso and chief financial officer of Jurlique, appeared in court on Thursday charged over the indecent assault of at least 12 women he allegedly lured into his Currie St business for “job interviews”.

Prosecution allege he could a “potential further” 78 victims after a search of his phone.

Mr Farah is married with three children, and moved to Adelaide in 1988 after completing an accounting degree in Israel.

In 1999 he began work as the CFO of Jurlique, before eventually moving into roles as the partner and chief executive of both CIBO and Cotto Espresso, according to his LinkedIn.

Solomon Farah (right) at the 2014 launch of authentic Italian espresso bar, Cotto Espresso on King William Rd. Picture: Facebook

During his time at Jurlique from 1999 to 2004, Mr Farah worked on the due diligence for an estimated $100m deal to sell the one-time South Australian-owned beauty products business.

He was the CFO for Pro Steel Supplies from 2004 to 2007, before moving to the CEO and financial controller role at CIBO for the next six years until 2012.

In 2013, he partnered with the founders of Cotto Espresso in Woodville – cousins Francesco Cecere and Nicholas Cioffi – after spending some time searching for a new investment opportunity.

“I looked at several businesses and I liked this one. I have many years of experience establishing businesses and systems and the idea is to take Cotto to the next level,” Mr Farah told the Advertiser in 2014.

From 2015 onwards, he was the principal owner of Solomon Financial Solutions, and is now a “semi-retired” 67-year-old who started up Skin Fit Co – posting a job ad to social media in 2023.

Solomon Farah has been charged with indecently assaulting women who went to his Currie St business for job interviews. Picture: Facebook

Solomon Farah has been charged with indecently assaulting women who went to his Currie St business for job interviews. Picture: Facebook

A prosecutor told the Adelaide Magistrates Court that Mr Farah was arrested on February 7 after allegedly indecently assaulting a girl who attended his business Skin Fit Co on Currie St for a job interview and trial shift.

“He rubbed lotion on her and felt up her breasts under her shirt and made comments about her breasts being bouncy with lotion,” the prosecutor said.

They also alleged that after a search of his phone, the 67-year-old Oakden man could have a potential further 78 victims, with 12 complaints already coming forward.

Documents obtained by The Advertiser state that the 12 women were allegedly indecently assaulted in various ways including some of them being massaged on various parts of their body with skin care products.

The documents allege Mr Farah indecently assaulted three of the girls by “touching and massaging her breasts during a job interview”.

A job ad posted to social media by Mr Farah. Picture: Facebook

Solomon Farah has been charged with indecently assaulting women who went to his Currie St business for job interviews. Picture: Facebook

They also allege he indecently assaulted another woman by “touching and massaging her buttocks during a job interview”.

Andrew Ey, for Mr Farah, applied for bail on behalf of his client and said the further alleged victims only came forward after police contacted them.

“He’s extremely hard working and a man of exemplary character,” Mr Ey said.

Mr Farah was arrested at 8pm on Wednesday over the alleged offences that dated between January 5, 2023 and February 2, 2024.

A search of his home revealed he was also allegedly in possession of a silencer and a bullet, and he was subsequently charged with firearms offences and a further four indecent assault charges and 10 assault charges, some of which are aggravated counts due to him being in a position of authority. No pleas have been entered yet.

Magistrate Kym Millard ordered a home detention report, with Mr Farah remanded in custody until at least next Wednesday.

Originally published as Who is Solomon Farah? High-profile Adelaide businessman charged with indecent assault of female job seekers