May. 5, 2004. 07:36 AM
Officer's nightclub didn't last long
Bar in corruption probe now closed
Policeman's role led to multiple charges
TRACY HUFFMAN AND JOHN DUNCANSON
STAFF REPORTERS
A Toronto officer charged this week in a police corruption scandal was already facing Police Services Act charges for running a ritzy downtown bar called Lotus the Niteclub, against direct orders from the chief of police.
Constable George Kouroudis, who was charged criminally with breach of trust and obstructing justice by an RCMP-led task force on Monday, was charged under the Police Services Act last November with two counts of insubordination.
Kouroudis is listed as the director of a numbered company that ran the Lotus restaurant and nightclub on Lombard St. in the Victoria-Adelaide Sts. area.
The bar, which first obtained its liquor licence on Feb. 11, 2003, recently closed. It was billed as a multi-level nightclub featuring an in-house hot tub, Mediterranean cuisine and "an ambience that feels like a hybrid between old New York charm and Miami super-club."
At its grand opening two days later, the club celebrated the North American premiere of the Naked News, a television newscast with nude anchors.
Lotus was still advertising special weekend events on its Web site up until Jan. 31. But yesterday the building showed no signs that a restaurant or bar was still operating there. The phone number for the club had been disconnected.
When police discovered Kouroudis' role in the club, he was informed that he had to seek permission from Chief Julian Fantino to participate in "secondary employment," according to allegations from the police act proceedings.
Each year, dozens of police officers apply to work part-time jobs such as security guards and labourers to supplement their income. Some are turned down if the chief feels the other job will put them in a conflict of interest or compromise the force's integrity.
According to the allegations against Kouroudis, a 54 Division officer, he made his request for secondary employment after the bar opened.
His request was turned down.
Kouroudis was charged with two counts of insubordination relating to his continuing involvement with Lotus after he was denied permission for secondary employment, said Inspector Kimberley Greenwood, of the force's professional standards department.
"George Kouroudis ... you are alleged to have committed misconduct, in that you did without lawful excuse, disobey, omit or neglect to carry out a lawful order" contrary to the Police Services Act, the charges state.
The first count relates to Kouroudis owning a bar, while the second count relates to allegations he refused to answer questions from internal affairs investigators probing his request for secondary employment, Greenwood said.
`I'm pleased to see that efforts are being made to get to the root of the problems ...'
Mayor David Miller
The punishment for insubordination ranges from a reprimand to dismissal from the force.
Kouroudis — who is still under an interim order not to have secondary employment — is scheduled to appear again before the tribunal next month.
The criminal charges against Kouroudis (obstructing justice, breach of trust of a public officer) relate to Constable William McCormack Jr., son of former police chief William McCormack.
According to Fantino, McCormack is alleged to have warned Kouroudis about "upcoming inspections" at the club. The chief also indicated at a press conference Monday that Kouroudis was under orders to sever contact with the club.
Dan Moore, the lawyer representing the officer, did not return calls to the Star.
Kouroudis is scheduled to appear June 14 in Finch Ave. W. court to answer to the criminal charges along with McCormack, police union president Rick McIntosh, and Constable Jodie Watson.
McIntosh, who stepped down as head of the union, faces charges of conspiracy to commit a breach of trust by a public officer and fraud on the government, breach of trust and influence peddling in connection with the alleged shakedown of bars.
McCormack, who was part of the recently disbanded 52 Division plainclothes unit, also faces similar charges.
Watson, McCormack's wife, is facing four firearm-related charges with her spouse.
A special combined task force that has been probing organized crime links for several years laid the charges.
Mayor David Miller responded yesterday to the laying of criminal charges with a note of support for the force.
"We'll all see what happens in the court case, but like everyone in Toronto I'm very sad. We value the reputation of our police service and the excellent work that our front-line police officers do," Miller said.
"We'll see what happens in court, but I'm pleased to see that efforts are being made to get to the root of the problems and clean them up."
With files from Kevin McGran
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