A former bookkeeper at Prahran nightclub Revolver has been accused in new court documents of misappropriating $8.5 million – almost double the amount previously alleged – while an audit of other venues owned by hospitality identity Camillo Ippoliti has identified other unauthorised fund transfers.
Sutasinee McGuigan is accused of siphoning $8,571,770 from two bank accounts linked to Revolver between March 2017 and July 2025, according to an amended statement of claim filed with the Supreme Court of Victoria on May 13. The revised court documents allege McGuigan made more than 900 transfers over that period.
Lawyers acting for Ippoliti and his company Taniti Pty Ltd issued subpoenas to four banks on Friday to access 14 bank accounts linked to McGuigan and her relatives as they investigate significant donations she allegedly made to several Buddhist temples across Melbourne.
Born in Thailand, McGuigan was the recipient of a commendation from the king of Thailand for her generosity towards Melbourne’s Buddhist community.
An initial claim filed in December last year alleged McGuigan had unlawfully transferred $4,486,608, but the scale of the alleged fraud has soared after further investigations by Ippoliti’s auditors and lawyers.
Further documents are expected to be filed with the court, after financial irregularities were uncovered at other CBD bars previously owned by Ippoliti, including Cookie, The Toff, Magic Mountain Saloon and Boney.
McGuigan, who was employed as a bookkeeper by Ippoliti from 2010, is accused in fresh court documents of transferring $2,203,202 into three of her bank accounts.
The 49-year-old bookkeeper also allegedly funnelled $5,819,869 into a joint bank account she held with husband Patrick McGuigan, who is named as a co-defendant in court documents.
Their daughter, Alexandra McGuigan, who is also named as a co-defendant, received $350,200, which was allegedly misappropriated from the renowned nightclub on Chapel Street.
Known as “Pae” to colleagues at Revolver, McGuigan used “fake transaction descriptions” to conceal hundreds of payments made to herself or family members, including bogus invoices from international beer companies, plumbers, musicians and audio equipment.
McGuigan denied she misappropriated funds from Revolver’s bank accounts or that she breached her fiduciary duties, according to a defence statement filed with the court on March 12.
However, she reserved her right to privilege against self-incrimination after the matter was reported to police in December, according to defence documents.
“The conduct alleged has been reported to detectives at the Stonnington Crime Investigation Unit of Victoria Police,” the defence document states. “In those circumstances, there exists a real and appreciable risk that the first defendant may be charged with criminal offences arising out of or in connection with the matters alleged.”
A separate defence document filed on behalf of Patrick and Alexandra McGuigan denied they were complicit in the alleged misappropriation, but also claimed “privilege against self-incrimination in respect of particular allegations where responding could expose them to criminal liability”.
McGuigan and her lawyer Andrew Tragardh, of Duxton Hill, did not respond to requests for comment from this masthead.
Lawyer Dan Mackay, of Mackay Chapman, released a statement on behalf of his clients, Patrick and Alexandra McGuigan.
“We reiterate that there have been no findings of fact or law by any court or tribunal, nor any evidence put forward in support of Taniti’s allegations,” Mackay said. “The matters contained in the Statement of Claim and Amended Statement of Claim are mere allegations. It remains for Taniti to prove them.”
Ippoliti declined to comment while the matter was before the courts and under police investigation.
Lawyers acting for Ippoliti have lodged caveats on several properties owned by the McGuigan family, including apartments in Malvern and St Kilda and a sprawling mansion in Warrandyte North on more than a hectare. The caveats prevent the disposal of an asset until any alleged debt has been settled.
The Supreme Court has ordered the parties to attempt to mediate the civil dispute before a direction hearing on August 18.
Last year, Ippoliti and wife Monika sold their heritage-listed three-storey home on Little Lonsdale Street for $4.55 million, and the couple now divide their time between Melbourne and Byron Bay.
They are widely acknowledged as key players in the rejuvenation of Melbourne’s CBD during the 1990s and founded some of the city’s hippest venues.
The 70-year-old co-founded Revolver Upstairs with Thai pop star Tan Punturaumporn in 1997, and the Chapel Street club, colloquially known as “Revs”, has attracted DJs, graffiti artists and musical acts from around the globe, including Snoop Dog, Fatboy Slim and Banksy. Punturaumporn is no longer a partner in Revolver.
Cookie and The Toff, which are no longer owned by Ippoliti, are two of Melbourne’s most popular venues in Curtin House on Swanston Street.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Carla Jaeger is a journalist for The Age. Got a tip? Email carla.jaeger@theage.com.au or message carlajaeger.62 on Signal.Connect via X or email.
