TRAVERS Beynon, the Gold Coast tobacco salesman who poses as mega rich playboy — “the Candyman” — pays bikini models to hang off him out of a $2 million promotion fund, his ex-manager claims.
Mr Beynon’s former right-hand man Andrew Whelan alleged the massive fund “promoting the Candyman brand” paid for jets, a yacht and girls as photoshoot props,
Mr Whelan’s allegations have emerged during court hearings following a bitter split from his former employer, the Courier Mail reported.
Mr Whelan, the former general manager of Mr Beynon’s Gold Coast Tobacco business alleged company money paid the models and for an extravagant overseas trip.
Text messages filed in an affidavit by Mr Whelan in Brisbane’s Federal Court alleged bikini-clad models were hired to “hang off” Beynon on the French Riviera, in London, and clubbing on the party island of Ibiza in June 2015.
Mr Whelan claimed bikini models were also paid to attend parties at Mr Beynon’s $3.7m Gold Coast mansion.
Mr Beynon also allegedly paid a photographer to accompany him overseas and take images to post on the Candyman’s social media accounts.
Mr Whelan is suing his former employer for unfair dismissal from his role as general manager via email in August 2015.
Mr Whelan was accused of “gross misconduct and breach of confidentiality” after it was claimed he emailed a promotional article due to be printed in Zoo magazine to a model without Mr Beynon’s consent.
He has filed a Federal Court suit claiming $3.3 million damages lawsuit for lost wages, bonuses, unpaid notice and annual leave.
Mr Whelan’s court documents also claim Mr Beynon sought advice to pitch a reality TV show about his life and dreamed of matching the media profile of US playboy.
Mr Whelan allegedly told a friend that Mr Beynon was “spending money like no tomorrow and won’t reward me”
“He spends millions on a pool and house and girls and doesn’t give to the people that bring in the money,” Mr Whelan wrote.