THE head of a security company which has provided services at Albury Airport, courthouse, Charles Sturt University and for Border councils has been stripped of his licence after being linked to drug use, threats against his wife and tax evasion.
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Stephen Piniotis, who runs Inter-City Security Services, had two security licences cancelled by NSW police last September on the grounds he wasn’t a fit and proper person to hold them.
He has failed in a recent bid to appeal the decision, with Civil and Administrative Tribunal senior member Geoffrey Walker noting Piniotis had a “repeated disregard for the law” regarding drugs.
Piniotis has often lived the high life, driving a red Ferrari under finance, a silver BMW and living in a large Norris Park home with a pool and tennis court.
Emeritus Professor Walker said there was some evidence of tax evasion.
He noted the father of two “has a long history of illegal drug use” despite his repeated denials.
His ex-wife detailed his extensive use of cocaine, speed, ice and ecstasy, including when he worked at the former Ritz Hotel, which later became The Bended Elbow.
Piniotis allegedly tested positive to meth while driving in Wodonga 12 months ago and will face court next month.
He was charged with offences in Albury after his relationship with his wife broke down in 2015, and agreed to an apprehended violence order, but police dropped the charges.
His ex-wife said he was controlling and jealous in the relationship, belittling her in front of their kids.
He claims she said she wanted to “destroy his business”.
Piniotis told the tribunal he only had one permanent client left – Wodonga Council – with none left in NSW, but a spokesman said he was not the council’s security contractor.
He blames the positive driving test to ice on a prescription drug given to him by his brother, but a doctor said the drug would not be detected as methamphetamine.
Emeritus Professor Walker said it was not in the public interest for Piniotis to hold the security licences.
“My conclusion is therefore that the applicant’s repeated disregard for the law in relation to drugs and other matters, his willingness to attempt to coerce by means of a threat and his proven lack of credibility show that he lacks the qualities of character needed to make him a fit and proper person to hold the licences in question,” he said.
“In particular, he does not satisfy the higher standard required of persons licensed in the security industry.”
He found Piniotis had also made a deliberate attempt to mislead those he had sought references from by failing to mention his licence was under review or the drug driving charge.