Peter Lazaris: Former Touch of Class brothel owner fails in bid to remove ankle monitor

The former boss of one of Australia’s most famous brothels has failed in his bid to remove his ankle monitor after allegedly being found with official AFP and NSW Police uniforms and illegal drugs.

Former brothel boss Peter Lazaris (right), leaving court earlier this year. Picture: Supplied

The former boss of one of Australia’s most famous brothels has failed in his bid to remove his ankle monitor after allegedly being found with official AFP and NSW Police uniforms and illegal drugs.

Peter Lazaris, the former owner of infamous Surry Hills brothel – A Touch of Class – appeared at Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday where his lawyer Veronica Abu Zeid submitted a bail variation on his behalf.

News Corp previously reported how NSW Police searched his home in November 2022 as part of a drug investigation where they allegedly found an array of official police uniforms and items – which is illegal.

Several high-quality imitation items were also seized and he was arrested and charged.

Lazaris has pleaded not guilty to a person not being a police officer wearing or possessing a police uniform, however, guilty pleas were entered for drug supply and two counts of drug possession.

Ms Abu Zeid sought a “number of variations” on Tuesday, with the court hearing from Magistrate Price who said Lazaris had been granted Supreme Court bail and had completed 12 months of rehabilitation at a restoration centre.

As a result, Ms Abu Zeid was successful in changing her client’s address, among other variations, however she said Lazaris’ ankle monitor contract was due to be renewed and appealed for that condition to be deleted altogether.

The former Brothel A touch of Class.

Lazaris is due to be sentenced in September and Ms Abu Zeid said the renewal would cost him thousands and he had “demonstrated perfect compliance” since he was granted bail.

She said when Lazaris proposed the ankle monitoring condition he never expected the proceedings to continue for this long.

Ms Price said Lazaris had made a “financial commitment” when he proposed the ankle monitoring condition and it was “part of the keys that unlocked the bail” and allowed him to be at liberty.

She rejected its deletion, saying there was a “real likelihood” he could be sentenced to full-time jail “given his [criminal] history” and agreed with the prosecution that he presented a flight risk.

The court previously played footage of police seizing the items from Lazaris’ home, including an AFP ID titled “Counter Terrorism Police” with his name printed on it. The ID also featured a photo of him wearing sunglasses.

The court heard AFP and NSW Police badges, hats, shirts and jackets were also seized as well as NYPD and California police items and he had bought multiple items on eBay.

On that occasion, his lawyer said her client had spoken to the buyer on his desire to “open a museum one day” and he had also used some of the items while he appeared as an extra on the Australian sitcom Queen of Oz.

The court heard Lazaris didn’t have a licence for the items.

Lazaris’ matter will return to court in September.