Embattled security firm haemorrhaging clients amid scandals
“Melbourne Football Club would like to inform you that its sponsorship with MA Services has ended,” the club said in a statement. “Their logo will not appear on the club’s football field and all other sponsorship rights will cease.”
When it was announced in January that MA Services was a major partner of the Demons, owner and then-CEO Ahuja said the deal with the club “aligned perfectly with our own values of excellence, inclusivity and community”.
Mick Ahuja, owner and managing director of MA Services Group, with Melbourne Demons players. Source: Melbourne Football Club
AFL clubs Brisbane, Hawthorn and Essendon also canceled sponsorship deals with MA last week to avoid any association with the scandal-stricken company.
All four clubs have removed all traces of the embattled company from their websites.
The report led other leading MA clients, including the University of Sydney and property giant CBRE, to cut ties with MA.
In a statement, Nicole Gower, vice-president of operations at the University of Sydney, described the allegations facing MA as “extremely concerning”.
“We terminated the contract we signed recently” [with MA]” said Gower.
“The delivery of services had not yet begun and we have arranged for alternative security services. The safety and well-being of our community is always our top priority.”
Last week, the imprint revealed disturbing allegations that Ahuja was involved in sexual harassment, bullying and offering money for sex to vulnerable women.
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A series of Snapchat messages revealed that Ahuja offered multiple payments of up to $1,000 to a woman in exchange for sex, an offer made after learning the woman was financially vulnerable after breaking up with one of MA’s senior executives whom she accused of domestic violence.
Ahuja resigned as chief executive on December 11, denying all allegations of misconduct involving women and dismissing reports of other alleged illegal or inappropriate behavior involving MA, saying they were false.
Coles launched an investigation into its contracts with MA Services, while the Victorian government removed the firm from its list of preferred security suppliers.
“Every woman deserves to feel safe in the workplace,” Government Services Minister Natalie Hutchins said at the time.
“The allegations against MA Services are extremely concerning, which is why we are removing the firm from the government supplier panel.”
But the Albanian government faces growing pressure to ensure MA and its subcontractors continue their involvement with Commonwealth organizations, including Australia’s top criminal intelligence agency.
In addition to the investigation carried out by tax authorities, it was also revealed that MA Services Group had a business relationship with a labor rental firm owned by a bikie gang boss.
Last week, the imprint also revealed how MA staff had repeatedly tried to cover up their role in an ongoing and controversial operation involving a private security force sent to the Pacific island of Nauru to protect exiled Australian immigrant detainees.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has refused to answer questions about whether it was appropriate for the MA Services Group to retain a multimillion-dollar contract to protect the offices of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, given the ATO’s investigations into MA-linked entities for suspected tax evasion. ATO is one of the intelligence commission’s law enforcement partners.
