Strip club boss where British dancer, 29, died says he’s ‘hands off’ boss – World News

Fitness instructor Stacey Tierney, then 29, was working at Dreams Gentlemen’s Club in Melbourne, Australia in 2016 when she died after consuming a drug cocktail in a private manager’s lounge

A strip club boss where a British dancer died says he was a “hands off” boss.

Dreams Gentlemen’s Club owner Salvatore Aparo said at a licensing hearing he runs the Melbourne club with his fiancé.

Fitness instructor Stacey Tierney, then 29, was working at the venue in 2016 when she died after consuming a drug cocktail in a private manager’s lounge.

Stacey, who is originally from Withington, Greater Manchester, told friends she “didn’t enjoy it but the money was good,” an inquest into her death has learned.

Manchester evening news It was reportedly 30 hours before Ms Tierney entered the room – the only one not monitored by cameras – and her body was removed from the venue by ambulances.

The club is facing an investigation by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission into Mr Aparo’s suitability to hold an alcohol licence.

He told a hearing that until Ms Tierney’s death he was a “hands-off” operator and trusted others to manage the venue.

He said he runs a construction company and has largely delegated running the venue to trusted managers who drop in a few times a week and make weekly calls.

Mr Aparo said the aftermath of Ms Tierney’s death had damaged the company’s reputation and put his own plans on hold.

He described it as a “very emotional roller coaster ride”.

Although he takes on “a lot of responsibility”, he can only go so far, he said.

When asked if he trusts the wrong people, Mr Aparo said: “We all learn from our mistakes.”

He denied suggestions that the club was operating after hours and outside of its licensing hours.

Much of the questioning focused on the manager’s lounge, where Ms Tierney was found dead.

Mr Aparo said it was his private hideaway when he visited the club but was unavailable to other managers and promoters.

The hearing was told managers and organizers would have access to the office and 24-hour access to the venue.

“I don’t know why people are implying there are parties – there were no parties, I run a very respectable business,” he said.

There was also a culture where staff would drink at the club on their days off, the hearing heard.

“We didn’t have a rule that upper management couldn’t come on their night off,” he said.

He said he introduced new processes and couldn’t turn back the clock.

“The tragedy is deeply felt across the board,” Mr Aparo added.

“I don’t wish that on anyone. This is a very, very tragic situation.”

The Commission will carry out an on-site inspection next week and deliver a result next month.