The DreamGirls nightmare has continued for owner Michael Frank Amante, as battles with OLGR and a raid in December result in closure of the venue, and now his conviction.
Police and officers of OLGR (now Liquor & Gaming NSW – L&GNSW) simultaneously raided strip clubs DreamGirls and Bada Bing on 19 December, 2015.
Three individuals were charged with cocaine supply, and inspectors uncovered an illegal upstairs bar operating at DreamGirls in an unlicensed area.
Licensee Wilhelm Lakepa was convicted earlier this month for his role, and yesterday in Downing Centre Local Court Amante pleaded guilty to setting up the illegal bar six or seven months ago to boost business.
He told inspectors he had kept the bar a secret because he knew the business was not supposed to be operating on Level 1. The upstairs area incorporated an intercom and special waitress to arrange and deliver drinks from downstairs, and EFTPOS payment facilities.
L&GNSW inspectors found a bar, bottles of spirits, a bar fridge of beer, drinks on a table, and facilities such as lounges and other furniture, and radiators. Customers and staff confirmed (illegal) alcohol sales had been taking place.
Amante was convicted, fined $7,000 and ordered to pay $1,500 in legal costs.
DreamGirls received two ‘Strikes’ under the NSW Government’s ‘Three Strikes’ scheme, and in 2015 OLGR lobbied the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) to disqualify Amante from holding a liquor licence in a NSW venue “for such a period as the Authority deems appropriate”.
This application was subsequently denied by ILGA, but the decision may be reconsidered following the Local Court ruling.
