September 1st, 2024Former Smeaton pub owner fails to appear for court hearing

The former owner of Smeaton’s Cumberland Hotel, Caleb Consiglio has had a court date adjourned to October after failing to appear at a hearing that was listed at the Ballarat Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Caleb Consiglio did not appear at the hearing that had been set at the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on Monday, August 26.

He had been expected to appear in order to contest charges brought against him by Liquor Control Victoria.

Consiglio had previously run the Cumberland Hotel along with his former husband James Consiglio up to March last year, when the pair had left the business and the Smeaton area.

Consiglio is now facing three charges of making false or misleading statements to the liquor commission, and one charge of failing to produce documents, as required under the liquor control act.

Cj and Ja Consiglio Pty Ltd, the company in which Consiglio is the sole director, is also facing three charges of failing to notify the Victorian Liquor Commission that a person has become an associate and a single charge of failing to comply with its liquor licence.

Now the sole director of the business, Caleb is answering the charges against Cj and Ja Consiglio Pty Ltd as well as the personal charges against him.

At Monday’s hearing Liquor Control Victoria lawyer Michael Majewski attempted to hear the matter ex parte, without Consiglio present.

However Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz decided not to hear the matter as it was unclear whether matters involving a company could be heard ex parte.

The matter has been adjourned to October 16, enabling Liquor Control Victoria to seek advice about how to proceed further.