EB Games Management Embroiled In "Faggot" Claims Controversy Authorities Investigating

WorkCover and the Australian Human Rights Commission are investigating the claims.The complainant has also commenced proceedings with the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board.

The executive being accused of bullying is Mark DiStefano who is District Manager for EB Games in Wollongong.

He stands accused of calling a former employee a “faggot”, pelting him with stock and referring to him as “the Indian” or Apu from The Simpsons.


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EB Games district manager Mark DiStefano has been accused of calling employee “faggot”.


The Illawarra Mercury claims that the former staffer who is referred to as ‘Randall’  said the district manager had ordered him and other staff members to “metaphorically fellate customers” to make them happy and if they were still not happy “bend over the counter” and allow them to have sexual intercourse with him.

“The amount of stress we all experienced significantly affected our lives” Randall told the Mercury. 

“We faced discrimination and we did not complain to any external body at the time … as we were all worried about how it could affect us”

“We feel that Mark DiStefano’s behaviour was absolutely disgusting and despicable. A number of us suffer from depression and anxiety as a direct result.”

In his statutory declaration, Randall said he was a casual senior sales associate at EB Games from October 16, 2013, to February 15, 2015, working mostly in the Figtree store.

“During this time there were many workplace incidents of bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, racial abuse, intimidation and threatening behaviour that took place,” Randall alleged.

He said that in 2014 Mr DiStefano referred to him and his colleague Kurt as “faggots” on numerous occasions.

“He would suggest which one of us was dominant and which one of us was submissive,” Randall said.

Kurt, a fellow employee, and two other colleagues witnessed the alleged incident.

Randall claims he was told if he left EB Games he would likely end up a “taxi driver or sleazy car salesman”.

Randall, who asked that his surname not be revealed, is one of four former EB Games casual staff who have filed complaints with authorities. 

EB Games management have not commented on the complaint. 

The four men have apparently signed statutory declarations alleging sexual harassment, racial discrimination, bullying and intimidation at the Dapto and Figtree stores between October 2013 and February this year, the Mercury reported. 

“The amount of stress we all experienced significantly affected our lives. We faced discrimination and we did not complain to any external body at the time … as we were all worried about how it could affect us.

“We feel that Mark DiStefano’s behaviour was absolutely disgusting and despicable. A number of us suffer from depression and anxiety as a direct result.”

He said that in 2014 Mr DiStefano referred to him and his colleague Kurt as “faggots” on numerous occasions.

“He would suggest which one of us was dominant and which one of us was submissive,” Randall said.

Kurt, a fellow employee, and two other colleagues witnessed the alleged incident.

Randall says that when he and his colleagues eventually complained they were taken off the roster.

Despite being assured they would have shifts on the next month’s roster, no shifts came their way, they said.

It is alleged that on September 25, 2014, Mr DiStefano inappropriately rubbed his back and shoulders which made him extremely uncomfortable.

Both Randall and Kurt allege that on the same day Mr DiStefano threw game cases and toys at Randall and called him an “idiot” and an “asshole”.

A third employee, Brad, of Cordeaux Heights, alleged Mr DiStefano swore at him and called him a “c—” and “f—ing asshole” on numerous occasions.

“He constantly made jokes about my appearance and weight. He on numerous occasions singled me out as a thief,” 23-year-old Brad alleged.

“After finding out I had depression he called me a ‘retard’ and weak and that I wasn’t capable of anything. He eventually fired me for this reason”.

Another employee who asked not to be identified, claims Mr DiStefano called him a “f—wit” and a “shithead” during a “violent” episode where he ripped down items from the shelves “throwing them around wildly”.

Mr DiStefano allegedly said to him that people like him were “too dumb to breed”.

A former store manager at the Figtree store has also spoken out in support of his former employees.

NSW WorkCover confirmed in a letter to Randall his allegations had been raised with EB Games Australia

“They have been informed of their responsibilities under the Work Health and Safety legislation and have been provided with information to enable them to respond to the issues raised,” the letter said.

“An inspector may visit the workplace at some time in the future to request details of how Electronics Boutique Australia Pty Limited responded to the issues being raised with them,” WorkCover said.

EB Games told the Mercury that WorkCover had advised it would not be taking the matter further.

However, WorkCover subsequently told the Mercury: “The matter is still under consideration by WorkCover.”

When asked about the conflicting statements over WorkCover’s involvement, EB Games told the Mercury the allegations against Mr DiStefano would be investigated internally.

The EB Games spokesman said EB Games Australia went “above and beyond to provide their employees with a safe working environment and has a zero tolerance on bullying and harassment”.

“EB Games have not received any reports internally or on the integrity hotline regarding the alleged incident you are referring to.”

The Human Rights Commission could not comment on individual cases but indicated in a letter to one of the complainants that the information provided by the four men would be used to assess, investigate and/or conciliate their complaints.