It's taken a year-and-a-half of his life and $130,000 on legal fees, but David Charles Massa believes the fight to clear his name of rape charges has been worth it.
The 47-year-old stood trial over an encounter with another man in the smoking room of Universal Sydney nightclub in June 2024.
He was accused of placing his hands into the complainant's underwear and molesting him for several seconds before smelling his own fingers.
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But Massa was acquitted of two counts of sexual intercourse without consent and two backup counts of sexual touching without consent in the NSW District Court today.
"Not guilty," a jury foreperson told the court.
Massa had admitted putting his hand down the other man's trousers and touching his bottom, but said the advance was consensual.
He was visibly relieved as he left the court surrounded by a crowd of family and friends.
"I'm really pleased that justice got served," he told AAP.
"There's only three things that can't hide for too long: the sun, the moon, and the truth. And that finally came out today."
The 47-year-old described the toll the "false allegations" have taken on his life, costing him $130,000 in legal fees and a year-and-a-half of his life.
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The jury made the right decision, Massa said, and he was happy it was all behind him.
"I'm just happy to move on with my life," he said.
In her closing arguments, his barrister, Nicole Carroll, had pointed to CCTV footage from the early hours of the morning on June 1, 2024, at the Oxford Street club.
She said it showed the complainant talking, laughing and smiling with Massa, and kissing him even after the alleged rapes.
The man did not appear to be upset, awkward, frustrated or in pain, she argued.
Instead, he only left because his girlfriend pulled him away from Massa after the two men were seen close together, Carroll said.
The prosecutor's argument that Massa knew there was no consent and proceeded anyway was dismissed by the jury when it delivered verdicts of acquittal.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
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