Chelsea co-owner accused of sexual harassment as Blues' billionaire stakeholder embroiled in California winery scandal

According to The Telegraph, a woman named Madison Busby, a 30-year-old with a background in architectural engineering, has filed a lawsuit in California alleging that Wyss engaged in inappropriate behaviour during her time at Halter Ranch, a winery owned by the billionaire. She has filed a lawsuit in San Luis Obispo County alleging that the incidents took place between 2019 and 2024, while Busby and her husband, Bryce Mullins, were employed at and living on the winery property.

The complaint recounts a visit by Wyss to the winery in September 2019. At the time, Busby claims that Wyss invited her and Mullins to cook a meal together. During that evening, she alleges Wyss approached her from behind while she was at the stove and groped her. Busby further claims Wyss asked her husband if he possessed “sexy” photos of her on his phone, an interaction that left her feeling violated and humiliated. Despite this, Busby says she did not file a formal complaint at the time, fearing that raising the issue might jeopardize Mullins’ employment at the winery.

The complaint filed by Busby read: "While Ms Busby cooked at the stove, Mr Wyss, then in his mid-eighties and married, deliberately placed his hand on Ms Busby’s butt and groped her. During their stay, Mr Wyss made several sexual propositions of Ms Busby. In addition, Mr Wyss told stories of his sexual exploits in graphic detail to Ms Busby and Mr Mullins. These included tales of his past and ongoing sexual affairs with women.”

It further added: "After Ms Busby was hired, Mr Wyss began to proposition Ms Busby and Mr Mullins to have sex with him, either as a group or with Ms Busby alone, and Mr Wyss began trying to insert himself into their sex lives. Ms Busby attempted to ignore the comments, change the subject or deflect them. At the time, she did not raise complaints with Mr Wyss out of concern for their employment.”

Busby put down his papers at the winery in 2024 and is now seeking legal help to claim compensation.

All the allegations have been denied by Halter Ranch. They have released a statement which reads: “For almost five years, starting in 2019, Mr. Mullins and his current wife voluntarily made themselves part of the Halter Winery community and took advantage of its owner’s generosity.

“This included deciding to become employees of the winery, choosing to live at the winery rent free for years, frequently travelling with the owner to Europe, the Caribbean and elsewhere at the owner’s expense, asking the owner and his wife to host their wedding party and inviting the owner to serve as Best Man.

“Through all these years, they never complained about the owner’s conduct, or simply declined to spend so much time with him, until after they voluntarily left their employment at the winery in 2024.”

Wyss is a part of the consortium, along with Todd Boehl,y that bought Chelsea in 2022. However, the contrasting narratives from Busby and Halter Ranch have set the stage for a high-profile legal confrontation, one that could have implications for Wyss's reputation.