Alan Jones has been charged with a total of 24 offences of indecently assaulting multiple young men and sexual touching incidents.
The former 2GB broadcaster was arrested by specialist detectives on Monday morning at his Circular Quay apartment and taken to Day Street police station in Sydney, The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Monday.
Police issued a statement which said: “Following extensive inquiries, about 7.45am today, strike force detectives executed a search warrant at a unit in Circular Quay where they arrested an 83-year-old man.
“The search warrant is underway.”
Detectives from Strike Force Bonnefin, the NSW Crime Command’s child abuse and sex crimes squad, have been conducting a secret investigation into Jones after Nine’s publications revealed the 83-year-old had used his position of power to allegedly prey on several young men over the span of 60 years.
This period also includes his time as a teacher at Brisbane Grammar in 1965 and his stint at The King’s School in Parramatta.
Last year, The Sydney Morning Herald published a major investigation from journalist Kate McClymont that carried multiple allegations against broadcaster Alan Jones during his radio career. Jones hosted breakfast at 2UE for many years before switching stations at 2GB where he finished his breakfast career in 2020.
In December, Jones denied allegations had had indecently assaulted young men.
Ben Fordham, who took over the former Wallabies coach’s spot as 2GB’s breakfast radio host in 2020, addressed the allegations on the morning of the Herald’s major investigation and relayed that Jones denied the claims made in a statement from his lawyers.
At the time, Fordham told listeners: “It’s going to be a very challenging story for a lot of people to listen to this morning as you know Alan sat in this chair at 2GB for close to 20 years and before that at 2UE. I know a lot of people have followed him since the beginning of 2UE.
“I also want to state that the claims made in the story today are denied by Alan Jones. The Kate MyClymont story says that for decades Jones was one of the most influential and feared figures in the country. [Continues reading from the report] A major investigation can now reveal allegations that Alan Jones used his position of power to prey on a number of young men – indecently assaulting them, groping or inappropriately touching them without their consent.
“There is a lot of detail in the story…it is a long one. In response to detailed questions sent to Alan Jones, the law firm Mark O’Brien Legal said in a statement: ‘Our client denies ever having decently assaulted the persons referred to in your letter and your suggestion that he has is scandalous, grossly offensive and seriously defamatory of him,’ ” Fordham said.
Both 2GB and The Sydney Morning Herald are part of the Nine Entertainment group of companies.
See also: Former 2GB broadcaster Alan Jones denies multiple allegations of indecent assault
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Top image: Alan Jones