By Roy Ward
Embattled former Essendon player Ricky Olarenshaw has broken his silence about the ongoing investigation into his links to a Bali massage parlour.
Indonesian police allege that the Bali-based Flame Spa massage parlour was offering sexual services illegally and arrested Olarenshaw’s estranged wife Ni Ketut Sri Astari Sarnanitha, known as Nitha, following a police raid in September.
Former AFL player Ricky Olarenshaw and his wife Sarnanitha, or Nitha.Credit: Facebook
Lawyers for Nitha, who shares a child with Olarenshaw, have claimed she was the frontwoman who was named in documents as the owner of the business to skirt Indonesia’s foreign investment laws but Olarenshaw and his three Australian business partners were the true owners.
Nine News spoke with Olarenshaw, a Bombers premiership player in 1993, as he walked a dog on the Gold Coast.
“It’s a delicate and complicated situation,” Olarenshaw told Nine News.
When asked why he “fled” Bali and returned home, Olarenshaw said: “Well, her [Nitha’s] business is under investigation with Indonesian authorities, at the moment, and it being a legal matter I cannot comment any further.”
When asked if his reputation would be tarnished forever, Olarenshaw said the reporting around the case wasn’t correct.
“A lot has been reported that has been false and inaccurate which has been frustrating and disappointing,” Olarenshaw told Nine.
“That’s all I’ve really got to say. The focus now is to get reunited with my children, so that’s all I have to say.”
This masthead reported earlier this month that police were still investigating the case and senior police had confirmed they were keen to interview Olarenshaw, who has returned to Australia.
This masthead does not suggest anyone associated with the operations of the business knew of the sexual activity being alleged by police.
The business openly advertised “full body-to-body sensual massage with three exotic therapists” but also that it “strictly prohibit[s] sexual intercourse”.
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