Ginia Rinehart’s private chef Jean Lopez charged over Bondi robbery – and two women have restraining orders against him
- Jean Lopez arrested for alleged burglary
- Subject of restraining order against two women
- Do you know more? Contact: lucy.manly@mailonline.com
A private chef working for Gina Rinehart’s daughter has been accused of hiring a locksmith to help him break into a house – and has been hit with restraining orders from two different women.
Self-styled hospitality entrepreneur Jean Lopez has worked as a private chef for mining heiress Ginia Rinehart and her husband Simon Robinson in the couple’s penthouse overlooking Bondi Beach in Sydney’s east.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal Lopez, a 31-year-old French national, was arrested for aggravated trespass and entered a house in North Bondi in June.
The resident of the unit, who had met Lopez once, told police he was lucky he was home at the time of the alleged burglary, and that Lopez had hired a locksmith early one Sunday morning to pry open his front door.
Daily Mail Australia has learned that Lopez has been employed by Ms Rinehart (pictured) for more than eight months.
Jean Lopez (pictured) at Zama restaurant in Bondi
Australia’s richest person, Gina Rinehart (pictured) with her mining heiress daughter Ginia
Lopez has since been released on strict bail conditions and must report daily to Bondi Beach police station, adhere to a curfew and not go within 100 meters of any international airport or other point of departure from Australia.
The matter will be heard in court at a later date.
Daily Mail Australia understands Lopez has been employed by Ms Rinehart for more than eight months and is regularly seen at the new Pacific complex, where the old Swiss Grand Hotel used to stand.
Lopez has a lengthy CV, having worked at some of Australia’s top restaurants including Bistro Guillame, Rockpool, The Cats Meow Bar and The Island.
Friends have told Daily Mail Australia that Lopez is co-owner and consultant at South American restaurant Zama in Bondi.
Ginia Rinehart and her husband Simon Robinson bought their penthouse (pictured) in Pacific Bondi Beach in 2017
Bianca Rinehart (pictured) appeared shocked at the WA Supreme Court last month
John Hancock appeared on an episode of Australian Story in 2015
Hope Rinehart and her former bodyguard, French-Israeli ex-soldier, Alon Assouline
Ginia Rinehart, the youngest daughter of mining magnate Gina Rinehart, bought the Bondi Beach penthouse in 2017 for $15 million.
The two-storey, four-bedroom apartment overlooks the famous stretch of sand and is considered a permanent home for Mrs Rinehart and Mr Robinson.
Gina Rinehart is worth $37.41 billion, according to the Australian Financial Review’s Rich List 2023.
She heads mining giant Hancock Prospecting, with diversified investments that include real estate, agriculture and even medical cannabis.
Hancock Prospecting was founded by her late father Lang, but it is under Gina that the company has become a global giant.
Gina, 69, has two children from her first marriage to Greg Hayward, John Hancock, 47, and Bianca Rinehart, 46. The couple divorced in 1981.
Ginia, who has supported her mother for a long time and has remained so loyal to the family empire ranks 46th on the Rich List with a personal wealth of $2.47 billion, while her older brother John ranks 47 with $2.43 billion.
They are followed by second eldest child Bianca at age 49 with $2.4 billion, and then middle daughter Hope Reinhart Welker at age 50 with $2.42 billion.
A spokesperson for the Rinehart family business, Hancock Prospecting, declined to comment. Mr. Lopez was contacted for comment.
He is due to appear in court at a later date.