Hot shot nightclub entrepreneur credited with reviving Sydney’s party precinct suddenly disappears as his venues close and staff make allegations about unpaid wages
- Restaurateur believed to be overseas
- Ussi Moniz Da Silva allegedly underpaid staff
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A restaurateur who was credited for reviving one of Sydney‘s busiest nightlife precincts is believed to be overseas while allegedly owing his staff money.
Ussi Moniz Da Silva, 29, is being investigated by the Fair Work Ombudsman over reports of allegedly underpaying staff at his venues in and around Kings Cross.
Mr Moniz Da Silva was once a hot-shot businessman who ran Eros Restaurant, Maali nightclub and Kings Cross Pavilion, in Potts Point, and Sinaloa, in Double Bay.
His venues were visited by celebrities and played host a few weeks ago to the premiere of the new television show about fellow Kings Cross businessman John Ibrahim, ‘The Last King of the Cross’.
Ussi Moniz Da Silva, 29, is being investigated by the Fair Work Ombudsman over reports of allegedly underpaying staff at his venues in and around Kings Cross
Mr Moniz Da Silva flaunted his lavish lifestyle on social media but has since taken down his accounts.
It comes after his venues hit a series of mishaps with instances of violence, reports of alleged underpayment and allegations of breaches of licence.
The Fair Work Ombudsman said it was investigating reports of alleged underpayments to staff at one of his venues, The Daily Telegraph reported.
‘The Fair Work Ombudsman is investigating Sinaloa,’ a spokesperson said.
‘As this matter is ongoing, it is not appropriate to comment further at this time.’
Staff alleged issues with pay began to surface as early as January and were told it had been delayed due to ‘downturns in trade’.
Maali was forced to close for 58 hours in February after it was handed a temporary closure notice by the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority.
The move came after a violent brawl broke out inside the club.
Eros Restaurant was hit with a similar temporary closure notice and closed for 60 hours in the same month.
Police had received a tip-off an outlaw motorcycle gang intended to visit the venue to allegedly commit an act of retribution.
Mr Moniz Da Silva did not reopen any of his other venues after receiving the temporary closure order.
Diners were left unaware of the shutdown at Eros Restaurant and continued to make bookings and pay online deposits.
They then turned up to find the venue empty.
The Potts Point venues are understood to be under new management and are set to reopen under new names sometime in the future.
Daily Mail Australia contacted the Fair Work Ombudsman for comment.
Mr Moniz Da Silva was once a hot-shot businessman who ran Eros Restaurant, Maali nightclub and Kings Cross Pavilion, in Potts Point, and Sinaloa (pictured), in Double Bay