Women involved in Sydney Swans hotel scandal send letters of demand to four current players – as well as the club and a retired player
Two of the three adult entertainers at the centre of the Sydney Swans’ alleged sexual assault scandal have reportedly sent letters regarding civil action to a player and a former player who were cleared by police.
Lawyers acting for the two women have sent letters to four of the five Swans players who were suspended by the team during the finals series – Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice – along with retired teammate Taylor Adams.
Details regarding the allegations are scarce, but Bice and Adams were not a part of the police investigation.
Victoria Police previously confirmed it is investigating claims the women were assaulted in a hotel room of the Pullman East Melbourne Hotel in the early hours of August 17.
A source close to the legal process, but not permitted to speak publicly, told The Age players received letters from the women’s lawyers.
They also received a draft statement of the women’s claim, which is expected to become a civil lawsuit.
James Jordon, the fifth suspended player, did not receive a letter. It’s understood he will not be part of the women’s private lawsuit despite remaining subject to the police investigation.
The Swans club also received a letter which claimed they were responsible for part of the alleged behaviour as the players’ employer.
Lawyers representing two women who claimed they were sexually assaulted by Swans players have sent letters to Isaac Heeney (centre), Chad Warner, Nick Blakey (right), Riley Bice and Taylor Adams but not James Jordon (left)
The women claimed they were assaulted in a hotel room at the Pullman East Melbourne Hotel (above) on August 17
The letters and brief were prepared by Carbone Lawyers, a prominent law firm in Victoria.
A third woman who was in the hotel room is being represented by Slater and Gordon.
Those letters also reportedly contained an invitation to privately settle the dispute alongside a warning the matter would proceed to court if not resolved.
All the men have denied accusations of sexual assault. No charges have been laid and the Daily Mail does not suggest the law was broken, only that police are investigating.
All five players were suspended from the Swans following the alleged incident for breaking the club’s behavioural standards by staying out late and bringing women to their hotel room.
A friend of the women previously suggested they could seek compensation for mental distress.
The source said two of the women have undergone psychological assessments and were found to be suffering from severe trauma-related disorders.
‘They have been pushed over the edge by the incident and its aftermath,’ they said.
Riley Bice (above) is being treated as a witness by police after being cleared of any wrongdoing but still reportedly received a legal letter from the women
James Jordan did not receive one of the letters
The team found the players had breached standards by staying out late, drinking and bringing women back to the Pullman East Melbourne hotel, near the MCG
Chad Warner has kept a low profile after he was suspended from the AFL finals series
‘These women are suffering severe stress and trauma. They are not in good shape.’
The source claimed the women’s health was documented in several medical reports, including one that was more than 40 pages long.
Victoria Police are expected to decide whether to lay charges over the allegations by the end of this month.
READ MORE: Isaac Heeney’s ex Steffie Waters shares snaps after jetting to the US
READ MORE: New details emerge about what happened inside Pullman Hotel room
