Club Sues Gov. Over Raid

Melbourne nightclub operator Cossari Smith Pty. Ltd. is suing the Victoria state government for A$2 million (US$1.95 million) over what it claims was an illegal raid on the White Charlie club in October 2010.

The raid was carried out by nine inspectors of Responsible Alcohol Victoria and four policemen, the Sunday Age reported.

Cossari Smith stated in court papers that their search warrant was illegal as it claimed the club was operating without a liquor license. The club operator says the license had been extended for 60 days a few days before.

The seizure of its alcohol stock and financial records led to the club’s closure, it maintained.