Three women involved in an investigation connected to Sydney Swans players at the Pullman East Melbourne have made new allegations, including at least one fresh claim of sexual assault and multiple allegations of sexual conduct without consent.
Police have also been told about the possible existence of a recording related to what happened at the hotel in the early hours of last Monday.
The woman represented by Jackson Pannam from Slater & Gordon has alleged she was the victim of “multiple sexual assaults”.
The other two women are represented by Carbone Lawyers. Multiple sources close to them, who know about the matter but were not authorised to speak publicly, said the women told police they were subjected to sexual conduct that went beyond what had been agreed to with multiple men while they were working as topless waitresses. Those accounts are expected to form part of the police investigation into possible criminal conduct.
The three women had been hired for the players and their friends during celebrations after the Swans’ round 23 win over Essendon at the MCG.
Slater & Gordon said its client’s allegations of sexual assault had been reported to Victoria Police, which has so far said it is investigating “a report of a sexual assault”.
Asked on Sunday whether the investigation had widened to include the separate allegations by two of the women of sexual conduct without consent, a Victoria Police spokesperson said, “we have nothing further to add”.
“We are not providing ongoing commentary around this investigation,” a police spokeswoman said.
Two AFL industry sources, who asked not to be identified, said the Swans had passed on details about the possible recording to police through the AFL after someone contacted the club claiming to have information that might be relevant to the investigation.
It is not known whether the recording exists or what material it may contain. What is known is that a person contacted the club about its possible existence before their details were referred to police.
The Swans have confirmed that Issac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, Riley Bice and James Jordon were in the hotel room in the early hours of August 17. The club suspended the five players for the rest of the season for breaching behavioural standards, and the players apologised. A source with knowledge of the situation had previously said the players deny any criminal wrongdoing.
Other men were also present in the room, including recently retired Swans player Taylor Adams. Adams did not respond to requests for comment.
It remains unclear which men the allegations concern.
The AFL integrity unit has left the matter to police rather than conducting its own inquiries while the investigation continues. Police have not yet interviewed the five suspended players.
All three women gave statements to Victoria Police last week setting out their accounts of what happened. On Saturday, Victoria Police said the investigation was still ongoing.
“Detectives from the sexual crimes squad continue to investigate a report of a sexual assault in East Melbourne on 17 August,” a police statement read.
“The exact circumstances of the matter are still being established and a number of people have been spoken to.”
Carbone Lawyers said on Friday it was preparing to begin legal action in the Supreme Court of Victoria against the five players and the club.
The lawyer acting for the two women alleging sexual conduct without consent said the proceedings would be filed in the Common Law Division of the Victorian Supreme Court, with the women seeking damages for pain and suffering, psychological injury and economic loss.
“We are currently investigating the circumstances and preparing to commence legal proceedings against the club and potentially the individuals involved,” Manny Carbone, a partner at Carbone Lawyers, said.
“Our clients are extremely traumatised and feel that their dignity and personal rights have been seriously violated by the events of Monday.”
The Swans have denied that any other club officials or staff were in the hotel room.
