A Sydney multi-millionaire boss who runs acclaimed Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg’s burger chain in Australia is about to battle expenses he assaulted an worker, as he claims he’s the true sufferer of the alleged incident.
Sam Mustaca, 42, holds the Australian partnership within the Wahlburgers franchise alongside his 80-year-old Calabrian-born father Roy and likewise owns and operates Sydney’s United Cinemas chain.
However each the profitable businessman and Wahlburgers are actually on the centre of a publicity catastrophe after he was charged with frequent assault.
Mustaca pleaded not responsible to allegedly attacking Jaun-Paul Kalman, 41, throughout his shift on the hamburger joint’s Round Quay retailer in March, when he confronted Downing Centre Native Courtroom late final month.
Mr Kalman was employed as a bar supervisor for the restaurant when it opened its first retailer in Sydney in February, close to Mustaca’s Opera Quay’s cinema.
Sam Mustaca, 42, (pictured together with his spouse) has been charged with allegedly assaulting an worker at Wahlburgers
Pictured: The Wahlburger franchise in Opera Quay, the place Mr Kalman was employed for round six weeks from February to March this 12 months
Mustaca and his father Roy signed a $50million licensing take care of the Wahlbergs to open their chain in Australia. Pictured: Mark Wahlberg
It is going to be alleged Mustaca injured Mr Kalman’s wrist throughout a dispute in a gathering about wages.
However a spokesperson claimed Mustaca was truly the one who was attacked in the course of the incident and the businessman can be ‘vigorously’ defending the cost.
‘Sam Mustaca met with a male worker to deal with critical points referring to his behaviour in direction of different employees within the presence of consumers and points concerning poor work efficiency,’ the spokesperson mentioned.
‘Throughout this assembly, the person [allegedly] assaulted Sam Mustaca who later required medical consideration.
‘The person’s employment was subsequently terminated, and he was requested to instantly depart the premises. Following the incident, police had been referred to as, and the previous worker was arrested close by.
‘Because the matter is earlier than the courtroom, it will be inappropriate to remark additional at this stage.’
Jaun-Paul Kalman (pictured) was allegedly assaulted by his former boss
Mr Kalman confirmed to Every day Mail Australia he was initially questioned and arrested by police however was launched.
Mustaca was charged in October following additional police inquiries.
Mr Kalman additionally confirmed he was charged with possessing a knife in public, which he mentioned was for his bonsai tree pastime and occurred to be in his backpack on the time.
That matter was handled in courtroom as a technical breach with no conviction recorded.
The daddy-of-two mentioned he’s now residing off employee’s compensation resulting from accidents allegedly sustained in the course of the incident.
The Mustaca household are well-known amongst Australia’s elite, with patriarch Roy forging a foothold within the nation’s enterprise scene when he based United Cinemas in 1986.
Mustaca and his spouse Gabrielle pose for the digicam at a Wahlburgers occasion
Roy and Sam pictured with Richard Wilkins in January 2021
Mustaca’s social media pages are suffering from footage of him mingling with Australian celebrities, like Kyle Sandilands (pictured)
Roy – often called ‘Rocco’ – is a famend singer and composer who started his profession within the leisure business from the age of eight earlier than opening 10 film venues throughout Sydney and Melbourne.
Famed for his Elvis-style hair and shimmering metallic stage outfits, Roy nonetheless performs repeatedly, with one among his hits – ‘God Kill The Coronavirus’ – beforehand airing throughout pre-show promoting at his cinemas.
His son can be no stranger to the highlight, with Mustaca beforehand within the headlines in March final 12 months over a courtroom battle between his property improvement firm and residents over a leaking roof on the Bellagio Residences.
Mustaca flaunts his lifetime of luxurious on-line – sharing images of him spending time together with his household at lavish formal occasions, posing up towards sports activities automobiles, and miggling with celebrities.
Photos littered all through his social media present him rubbing shoulders with well-known Australians together with presenter Richard Wilkins and radio personalities Kyle Sandilands and Bruno Bouchet.
The restaurant chain was based by Wahlberg brothers Mark, Donnie and chef Paul (pictured)
However behind the scenes, insiders say the Wahlberg-Mustaca operation shouldn’t be operating easily – regardless of launching with glowing publicity earlier this 12 months.
Sources instructed Every day Mail Australia the enterprise has skilled excessive employees turnover.
There are presently three retailers in Australia – Byron Bay, Sydney, and the Gold Coast – with the chain slated to finally boast 20 shops complete nationwide, together with branches in Perth and Brisbane.
In October, as the corporate opened its new retailer in Surfers Paradise, Mark Wahlberg made a video praising the Mustacas’ for his or her efforts.
‘A fast shout out to our group in Australia, the Mustaca household, our third location is now open,’ the Mile 22 actor mentioned.
‘Thanks guys and congratulations. Many extra to come back. From the Wahlberg household to yours – God bless you.’
Mustaca poses with employees on the Wahlburgers Byron Bay retailer
