Adelaide businessman Solomon Farah, 67, has been the focus of a sexual assault case involving dozens of women in recent days, and he has been accused of inappropriate physical assault against at least 12 women during job interviews, while the total number of potential victims could be as high as more than 70. The incident sparked a heated bail debate in the Adelaide Magistrates' Court.
According to Australian media on May 2, Mr. Farah is currently facing four counts of aggravated sexual assault and ten counts of sexual assault related to his misconduct with women between January 2023 and February 2024 using his interview process at Skin Fit Co.
He allegedly applied lotion to a woman, touched her breasts and made inappropriate comments during the interview, prompting the initial allegations.
Police found more disturbing evidence after a search of Farah's home.
They found a silencer and bullets that had not been properly kept, which led to two charges of violating bail conditions and two charges of violating firearms regulations.
Meanwhile, defence attorney Andrew Ey sought to secure special bail conditions for Farah, who highlighted Farah's "good character" and record of "hard work" as the CFO of several businesses, including Cibo Cafe.
Attorney Ey argued that the silencer that was found "did not have a firing function" and suggested that Mr Farah may have simply forgotten that it existed. He also offered a guarantor willing to provide a $10,000 bail bond.
However, the prosecution was adamantly opposed bail, stating that the silencer was illegal and suggesting that it could be hidden to evade charges.
Prosecutors said in court that 12 women have now formally filed charges as police reach out to more potential victims, and more are expected to come forward. The case has sparked widespread discussion about workplace safety, particularly protections during interviews, and support and understanding for victims of sexual assault.
The complexity of this case lies not only in its scale, but also in the fact that it sheds light on possible systemic abuses of power. There was a strong community interest in Mr. Farah's background and motivations, while also raising questions about how the justice system handled allegations of this magnitude.
The judge's decision on Mr Farah's application for bail from home confinement next week will be a pivotal turning point that will not only affect Farah's personal fate but will also have far-reaching implications for similar cases in the future.