Dimitri Kentrotis in court over threats to staff loyal to Nick Balagiannis
The blockbuster feud which has torn apart the family behind the Reserve Hotels empire has been back before the courts. The boardroom tussle has been laid bare with allegations the son-in-law to the firm’s patriarch made threats to staff loyal to him.
Wentworth Courier
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A magistrate has refused to relax the bail conditions of a man charged with threatening employees loyal to his father-in-law in an explosive divide between the family behind a $100 million pub empire.
Dimitri Kentrotis appeared before Waverley Local Court on Tuesday impeccably dressed in a blue suit complete with a pocket square.
The family feud was laid bare when Mr Kentrotis, 41, of Bondi Junction first appeared before the court in July to apply for bail.
He was taken into custody on two charges each of firearm possession and using the app Wikr to menace and harass plus one charge of attempting to stalk or intimidate.
The court previously heard the Reserve Hotels patriarch Nick Balagiannis ousted not only Mr Kentrotis but his own wife Sue and daughters Angelique and Mary from the company board after a disagreement over a $60 million property sale.
The case was mentioned on Tuesday to set a date for reply to the brief and Mr Kentrotis’ lawyer took the opportunity to ask his client be allowed to report twice a week to police rather than daily.
The court heard Mr Kentrotis had a four-year-old child to care for and daily reporting was difficult.
“There are a number of stringent bail conditions,” Mr Kentrotis’ lawyer said.
Magistrate Ross Hudson was unmoved by the submission.
“Yeah, I set the bail,” Magistrate Hudson said.
“I don’t forget matters. The bail was hotly contested before me. These are serious matters. Possess firearms ... and then serious threats in terms of a family trust and millions of dollars.”
The court was told Mr Kentrotis had fully complied with his reporting obligations to police so far.
“I hope he has or otherwise there’d be a detention application in front of me,” Magistrate Hudson said.
“I note bail to continue.”
Mr Kentrotis will next appear on the above charges at Sydney Downing Centre on September 15.
However he will be back in court tomorrow at the Downing Centre accused of speeding away from police when they tried to drug test him.
Waverley court heard in July that if Mr Kentrotis did threaten to “kill” one of the employees it was a comment not meant literally but said in frustration because the employee did not register the company car Kentrotis was driving, therefore attracting the attention of police.
The Reserve Hotels stable includes Albion Place Hotel and Mr B’s and Chamberlain Hotel which are both on Pitt St.