‘No kink’: Brothel boss Peter Lazaris busted with real police uniforms

The one-time boss of Sydney’s most famous brothel was allegedly caught in possession of legitimate cop uniforms — but authorities claim it had nothing to do with a dress-up fantasy.

Brothel owner Peter Lazarus outside the Craig Thomson court case at Melbourne Magistrates Court.

Exclusive: The one time boss of Sydney’s most famous brothel was allegedly caught in possession of legitimate police uniforms — but authorities claim it had nothing to do with a dress up kink fantasy for his job.

Peter Lazaris, the ex-manager of famed Surry Hills bordello A Touch of Class will face the Downing Centre Local Court next month to answer to a range of charges after he was taken down in a drug investigation by a specialist squad of the NSW Police.

Police allege the 55-year-old supplied at least 45g of methylamphetamine from his Kingsgrove home.

And when police raided the property in November 2022 they allegedly found an array of official police uniforms, which is illegal and punishable with a maximum two year jail sentence.

According to court documents, police allege Lazaris was in possession of “genuine NSW Police and Australian Federal Police uniform without permit”.

Brothel owner Peter Lazarus.

He was also charged with two counts of supplying methylamphetamine, possessing 55g of the drug and possessing police uniforms without a permit. He is set to plead not guilty to the charges.

A further 13 charges police laid against Lazaris have been withdrawn, including directing a criminal group, possessing ammunition illegally and driving a motor vehicle with unlawful police insignia.

According to business records, Lazaris was a director of the shelf company used to run A Touch of Class between 2004 and 2009.

In 2014, Lazaris gave evidence in the fraud case of disgraced former politician Craig Thomson and explained the checks A Touch of Class would have done when the ex-federal MP used a union credit card at the brothel.

In a period where A Touch of Class was closed, Lazaris opened another brothel on nearby Albion St, known as Thai City Brothel.

After opening in 1972, A Touch of Class became Sydney’s most well known brothel thanks to rumours of its high profile clientele which included businessmen, politicians, judges and sportsmen.

Police allege Lazaris had legitimate NSW Police and AFP uniforms. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

Late Sydney business mogul Kerry Packer was linked to the establishment with claims that he had a financial interest in the brothel and was one of its patrons.

Journalist Paul Barry’s biography on Packer included an unverified story that the billionaire hired the entire venue for his polo playing friends.

The brothel’s story also featured in an eponymous book written by journalist Ros Reines and the venue’s late owner and manager Zara Powell.

The Brothel A Touch of Class at Surry Hills.

The iconic privacy screens on the front of the Surry Hills bordello.

For a long period of its history the ownership of the brothel remained a mystery.

According to property records, the terrace houses where A Touch of Class is based are owned by company Surry Hills Enterprises, the sole director of which is Melbourne based brothel tycoon Mark Gray.

According to court records, Lazaris was released after his arrest on a long list of strict bail conditions after a $1 million deposit — in the form of a Surry Hills property --- was lodged as security.

They included that he not go within 7km of the GPO building in Martin Place and not enter the suburb of Campsie.

He was also ordered to enter a rehab facility and not drink alcohol.

Lazaris will face the Downing Centre Local Court for hearing on February 12.