One of Sydney hospitality empire Merivale’s top executives has been hit with three domestic-violence related charges after allegedly assaulting a woman and damaging a wall in her home.
Andrea Gualdi, 38, from Rosebery south of Sydney’s CBD, is Merivale’s group beverage manager. He arrested and charged on April 21 with intentionally or recklessly damaging property to an amount less than $2000, intimidation and common assault.
Police said Mr Gualdi’s arrest came after a 36-year-old woman reported on April 20 to Mascot Police, in Sydney’s south, that she had been assaulted by a man known to her in 2024.
He was granted bail and pleaded not guilty to the charges in Liverpool Local Court on Tuesday.
Mr Gualdi co-founded popular Sydney bar Maybe Sammy before joining the Justin Hemmes owned hospitality group in 2023.
Maybe Sammy has since expanded into the Maybe Group, which now operates six venues across Sydney.
Court documents obtained by news.com.au detail that the alleged offending occurred between January and November 2024 at the woman’s home in Edmonson Park in Sydney’s south-west.
The case will now go to a hearing which is set down for December 1.
In a 2023 Hospitality Magazine article, Mr Gualdi spoke about his “passion for creating unique and memorable drinks” and said he would be responsible for creating beverage strategies for the group’s 90+ venues.
“I’m eager to collaborate with the team on unique and innovative experiences, focusing on thinking outside the box when it comes to delivering those drinks to our guests and creating memorable experiences,” he said.
“I look forward to working with the talented teams at Merivale to create a beverage offering that rivals the world’s best.”
Merivale and Mr Gualdi have both been contacted for comment.
Sarah.Keoghan@news.com.au
