Originally issued Wednesday, 28 April 2010

A former employee of WA’s infamous Bikini Girls Massage business has been fined $1,500 and ordered to pay $632 in Court costs, after admitting to misleading job seekers. 

The ex worker, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to two counts of conduct liable to mislead in relation to employment - a breach of the Fair Trading Act 1987 - during a hearing at Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday 27 April 2010. A third charge was withdrawn. 

Consumer Protection alleged that job vacancy advertisements in community newspapers disguised the true nature of working for Bikini Girls Massage, which involved female staff wearing bikinis while massaging naked or mostly naked men. 

The Commissioner for Consumer Protection’s lawyer described the recruitment practices as ‘predatory’ and asked the Court to send a signal to employers that difficult economic times were not an invitation to mislead and exploit young job-seekers. 

The Chief Magistrate echoed concern at the use of phrases like “Health Salon” in advertisements really recruiting for massage parlours. 

Alleged operators of Bikini Girls Massage – Mr Bon Levi and Mr Colin Burton – deny any wrongdoing. Their cases were adjourned and they are now due to face trial on 1 September 2010, in a hearing expected to last three days. 

There are a total of 91 charges against Mr Levi (59 counts under the Business Names Act and 32 counts under the Fair Trading Act) and 14 charges against Mr Burton (12 counts under the Fair Trading Act and 2 counts under the Business Names Act).

Both have pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Members of the public with any queries should contact Consumer Protection on 1300 30 40 54.

Media enquiries: 6552 9248 or cpmedia@dmirs.wa.gov.au