The son of a publican who owns Sydney queer venues the Imperial Hotel, Universal Sydney and Oxford Hotel – who claimed on LinkedIn to be a “director” of the parent company that owns those pubs – has been charged after allegedly breaking into a woman’s home with two other men to steal her car keys and registration papers.
Cranbrook School 2010 graduate Steven Christopher Kospetas, 32, was arrested in May and charged over the break-in, which occurred in Ryde on October 2, The Sydney Morning Herald newpaper reported on Tuesday.
He was granted police bail on the same day.
Herald police sources with knowledge of the investigation alleged to the newspaper that Kospetas was believed to have been assisting a friend retrieve the vehicle during a dispute over its ownership.
A NSW Courts and Tribunals representative confirmed to Gay Sydney News Kospetas’ charge of aggravated break-and-enter of a dwelling in company to steal property worth less than $60,000.
They said Kospetas entered a plea of not guilty on June 16 and also confirmed his next court date will be October 13 at Burwood Local Court.
Steven’s father James Kospetas, 64, also known as Jim, is the sole director and shareholder of Universal Hotels Pty Ltd, which owns and runs queer venues The Imperial Hotel in Erskineville, Universal Sydney and Oxford Hotel, as well as many other venues across Sydney including The Riley Hotel and the Palace Hotel.
Despite this, Steven Kospetas listed on his LinkedIn, which was taken down on Wednesday afternoon, that he has been a Universal Hotels “director” since 2011.
Company records held by corporate regulator ASIC show Steven is not a director of Universal Hotels but rather of a business registered in 2021 called Oneiro Corp Pty Ltd, which trades as Universal Projects.
A source familiar with Universal Projects but not authorised to speak publicly said it provides contracting services to several businesses, including to Universal Hotels and other residential and hospitality enterprises. The same source said Steven was previously employed by Universal Hotels but resigned earlier this year to focus on his own business.
Before it was scrubbed on Wednesday afternoon, Steven’s Instagram profile listed a hotel emoji with “Universal Hotels” next to it, as well as “Universal Projects” alongside a crane emoji.
His name was also listed, but this was changed to just his initials. A mention of “Jesus” with a cross emoji was also removed, as well as his partner’s Instagram handle, and a teddy bear emoji with two initials.
On his LinkedIn, Steven claimed he was in charge of Universal Hotel’s acquisitions and sales.
“Born into a life of hospitality and entertainment, Steven began his earlier years of his career along side [sic] his father Jim [James] and brother Harris within Universal Hotels learning the ropes within the family business,” his LinkedIn “about” section read before the profile was taken down.
“Joining forces again along side his father Jim and brother Harris in may [sic] of 2017, Stevens [sic] involvement with the group has developed into him being in charge of the groups [sic] acquisitions & sales.
“Steven is incredibly knowledgeable when it comes to a sale or a purchase as he has great passion in design and being creative with properties within the group. His extensive flow of support and transparency allows any business dealings to incorporate trust, integrity, honesty and success.”
Among Universal Hotels’ recent purchases is the freehold acquisition of Darlinghurst’s Lord Roberts Hotel from publican Sue Cameron in exchange for the leasehold of the Newtown Hotel in an unusual pub trade estimated to be worth a combined $20 million.
The Herald’s reporting of Steven’s charge on Tuesday, the first time it had been publicly reported on in the media, came a day after Steven’s matter was mentioned at Burwood Local Court, although he did not attend himself, with the Herald reporting that he was on bail and in Greece but expected to return this week.
Bail conditions ordered on May 22 require him to report to St George police station once daily between 6am and 9pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, a NSW Courts and Tribunals representative said.
Steven is also required to reside at an address in postcode 2219, which encompasses Dolls Point, Sandringham and Sans Souci. Additionally, he was ordered not to go near or contact any of the co-accused parties, except through a legal representative, or any prosecution witness.
He was also told not to enter a specific street in Ryde or to go within 1 kilometre of that area.
However, these conditions were listed in court records as being suspended between August 17 and September 25. The Herald said Kospetas’ bail conditions were varied in August so he could travel overseas.
NSW Police declined to comment because the matter is before the court.
Comment was sought from both Steven Kospetas and his brother, Universal Hotels chief executive Harris Kospetas, via email on Wednesday.
No comment was provided at the time of publication.
This article was legally reviewed by LGBTIQ+ law firm Dowson Turco Lawyers.
Ben Grubb is the founder and editor of Gay Sydney News, an independent publication covering LGBTQIA+ news. A journalist with more than 15 years' experience, he has reported and edited for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WAToday, Brisbane Times, The Australian Financial Review, News.com.au, ZDNet, TelecomTimes and iTnews, primarily on the topic of technology. He previously hosted The Informer, a queer current affairs program on Melbourne’s JOY 94.9 radio station, and contributes to LGBTQIA+ media including Stun Magazine. Ben has also appeared as a technology commentator on Channel Ten's The Project, ABC RN’s Download This Show and commercial radio stations 2UE, 2GB and 6PR. Contact Ben: ben.grubb@gaysydneynews.com.au
