Both the owner and licensee of Kings Cross nightclub Dreamgirls have been convicted for operating an unlicensed bar on the premises. Just two months ago media reported that the club had been forced to close after officers from Liquor & Gaming NSW and Police found that drugs were being sold by the venue. Consequently Dreamgirls' surrendered its liquor licence and Michael Frank Amante and David Wilhelm Lakepa have been facing charges since.

The illegally operating bar was located on level 1, where patrons could purchase alcohol and organise private shows.

At the time of the raid former licensee, Mr. Lakepa, denied any knowledge of illegal sales of alcohol on the site, but later pleaded guilty at Downing Centre Local Court. Mr. Lakepa was convicted and sentenced for assisting in conducting the business of an unlicensed premises and, as a licensee, allowing others to sell alcohol at an unauthorised premises.

He has been fined $7,000 and ordered to pay Liquor & Gaming NSW $1,500 for legal costs.

Owner, Mr. Amante, also pleaded guilty and received the same sentence as Mr. Lakepa from the courts for his leading role in setting up and operating the illegal unlicensed bar.

Mr. Amante was not at Dreamgirls at the time of the raid but later admitted to helping set up the additional bar to help boost business. He told inspectors that the bar had been secretly operating for six or seven months.

Illegal drink orders could be made by buzzing downstairs to the manager’s box or placing orders via an upstairs waitress, so “if any customers up there wanted alcohol, they could get it," Mr. Amante said.

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