A Melbourne man, who gained notoriety after a viral incident involving a chair throw outside a strip club, has lost his job as an executive at a furniture company. The incident occurred on January 30, 2024, when Tony Rogers, 58, was involved in a confrontation at Bar 20, leading to his dismissal from Vereinigte Spezialmöbelfabrike (VS), a prominent German manufacturer.
The episode began when Rogers and a colleague visited Bar 20 for drinks shortly before 21:30. According to reports, the men displayed aggressive behavior towards staff. An incident escalated when Rogers shouted at a barmaid to “open the f***ing beer.” Following this, security personnel were summoned, and both men were escorted from the premises. Their refusal to leave willingly resulted in their eventual ejection onto the footpath of King Street, an area known for its nightlife.
In a moment of frustration, Rogers threw a chair from a nearby restaurant, intending to strike security personnel but accidentally hit his workmate in the head, knocking him out cold. The shocking incident was captured on CCTV and has since been viewed by over 27 million people online.
Company Response and Internal Investigation
Following the viral incident, VS issued a statement expressing their disapproval of the actions displayed by Rogers. The company emphasized that the incident, while occurring outside of working hours and unrelated to a work event, was in clear violation of their standards and values. A spokesperson stated, “Both individuals have expressed genuine regret for the incident and acknowledged a significant error of professional judgment.” As a result of an internal investigation, it was confirmed that Rogers is no longer employed with VS, where he had served as a sales director for two years.
Rogers, who has a long history in the furniture industry, previously worked for Woods Furniture for over 17 years. His professional background includes positions as director and vice chair of the Australian Furniture Association. The company reiterated its commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful workplace for all employees and customers.
Police Investigation Continues
The incident has caught the attention of the Victoria Police, which is conducting an investigation through its Divisional Licensing Unit. According to a police spokeswoman, “It is expected he will receive an infringement notice at a later date.” Investigators are still working to contact Rogers’ workmate, urging him to come forward for an interview regarding the incident.
Michael Trimble, co-owner of Bar 20, recounted that staff attempted to manage the situation promptly, taking eight minutes to eject the two men. Trimble noted that Rogers’ colleague had initially returned to apologize for his behavior, demonstrating a change in attitude before the chair-throwing incident occurred.
In reflecting on the viral nature of the event, Trimble remarked that he had witnessed many patrons misbehaving but never anticipated such a reaction would gain widespread attention. The investigation remains ongoing as the incident continues to unfold in the public eye.
