Furniture Executive Dismissed Following Viral Chair-Throwing Incident in Melbourne
A senior furniture industry executive has been terminated from his position after a video of him accidentally striking his friend with a chair outside a Melbourne strip club went viral on social media. Tony Rogers, 58, became an international talking point following the altercation at Bar 20 on King Street in late January.
Incident Details and Viral Fallout
CCTV footage obtained by 7NEWS captured Rogers and a coworker being ejected from the venue around 9:20 pm on January 30 for allegedly behaving offensively toward dancers and staff. The video shows the pair scuffling with bouncers before Rogers grabbed a chair from a nearby restaurant and flung it toward security, inadvertently hitting his coworker in the back of the head.
The incident quickly spread across social media platforms, drawing widespread attention and condemnation. According to his LinkedIn profile, Rogers was serving as the Sales Director for German furniture company Vereinigte Spezialmöbelfabriken (VS) in Southeast Asia, director of its Australian office, and chair of the board for Australian furnishing institute Furntech at the time.
Professional Consequences and Company Response
However, his profile now indicates he is no longer employed by VS as of February, and Furntech has removed him from their board of directors. VS Australia issued a statement confirming the dismissal, emphasizing that while the incident occurred outside business hours and was unrelated to work, the conduct was unacceptable and contrary to company values.
"We have conducted an internal investigation in line with our policies," the company told 7NEWS. "Both individuals have expressed genuine regret for the incident and acknowledged a significant error of professional judgment. One individual is no longer employed with our organisation."
VS Australia reiterated its commitment to workplace safety, respect, and professionalism, highlighting the importance of employee and customer wellbeing.
Police Investigation and Venue Owner's Defense
Police have opened an investigation into the incident and are expected to issue fines for offences including refusing to leave a licensed premises and riotous behaviour. Bar 20 co-owner Michael Trimble defended his security staff, noting that the ejection escalated due to the pair's aggressive behaviour and refusal to leave.
"They were rude to the girls, they were aggressive, and they refused to leave," Trimble said. "Then they've continued to kick off outside until old mate was taken out by friendly fire. The problem was the chair. We need a statewide chair ban now."
Trimble added that his staff acted appropriately given the circumstances, despite accusations they did not adequately check on the injured man.
Broader Implications and Industry Impact
This incident underscores the potential professional repercussions of off-duty behaviour in the digital age, where viral moments can quickly lead to job loss and reputational damage. Rogers' dismissal from a high-profile role in the furniture industry serves as a cautionary tale about maintaining professional standards at all times.
The case also highlights ongoing debates about security protocols and public safety in entertainment districts, with calls for stricter measures to prevent similar altercations in the future.
