Cronulla restaurant former owner banned for five years following harassment of workers
The former owner of OG’s Kitchen & Bar in Cronulla has been banned from holding a liquor licence or being involved in managing licensed venues for five years after the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) found he was not a fit and proper person to hold positions of responsibility in the liquor industry.
The decision relates to Jake Samuel-Brennan’s repeated harassment of four employees in July and December 2025, involving hundreds of unwanted phone calls and inappropriate messages.
Following a complaint lodged by NSW Police, ILGA banned Mr Samuel-Brennan for five years from being a close associate of a licensee or the manager of licensed premises and from holding a liquor licence under the Liquor Act 2007.
Liquor & Gaming NSW Executive Director Regulatory Operations Dimitri Argeres said the decision reinforces community expectations that hospitality venues must be safe places to work.
"Everyone has the right to feel safe and respected in their workplace, particularly those in hospitality who may work outside of regular business hours,” Mr Argeres said. "The conduct outlined in ILGA's decision is completely unacceptable and has no place in NSW licensed venues.
"People who hold positions of authority in licensed venues are expected to demonstrate integrity, professionalism and respect. When they fail to meet those standards, strong regulatory action will follow."
Since this matter, the NSW Government has implemented landmark legislative reforms introduced this year that further strengthened protections for hospitality staff and patrons, Mr Argeres said.
"The NSW Government has made it clear that sexual harassment and sexual violence will not be tolerated in licensed venues,” he said.
"Recent reforms have expanded the disciplinary grounds available under liquor laws, giving regulators stronger powers to take action where operators fail to maintain safe and respectful environments for workers and patrons.
"These new protections have provided additional pathways for regulatory action and reinforce that creating safe workplaces is a fundamental responsibility of every venue operator.
“If anyone experiences sexual harassment or sexual violence in a licensed venue in NSW, they are encouraged to contact Liquor & Gaming NSW. Reports will be treated seriously and handled sensitively.”
The reforms, announced by the NSW Government in June 2026, introduced new disciplinary and licensing measures to address sexual harassment and sexual violence in licensed venues, helping protect both hospitality workers and patrons.
Liquor & Gaming NSW, 21st September 2026
