Strip club kingpin James Samson claims he's been unfairly targeted by ex-police booze boss

Strip club kingpin James Samson says he's been unfairly targeted.

A strip-club kingpin has lodged official complaints and is threatening legal action against Christchurch's former police booze boss over misconduct allegations.

Police have launched an internal investigation after James Samson, whose family has built-up the Calendar Girls empire and who has been behind a number of busy city bars, alleged he's been subjected to a campaign of unfair targeting by Christchurch Police's former head of its alcohol harm reduction unit, Sergeant Jon Harris and officers under his charge.

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Samson says that despite faring well in police alcohol-stats and meeting obligations under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, Calendar Girls and other bars that he's had an interest in, including The Cotton Club, have consistently had liquor licence applications challenged by Harris.

He alleges that under Harris' direction, police officers often came into his premises "heavy-handed" in large numbers and that they have "engaged in misconduct".

Harris also had a conflict of interest, Samson alleges, having formerly been involved in the hospitality industry in Christchurch.

Now, Samson is considering legal action against Harris.

Police have refused to comment while the matter is the subject of an internal investigation.

Samson has also lodged official complaints with the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA), claiming "serious allegations of misconduct".

Citing privacy reasons, the IPCA would neither confirm nor deny the existence of any complaints relating to the alleged misconduct of a member of police.

Today, Harris also said he could not speak about the allegations.

"I'm aware of a couple of IPCA complaints that I am the subject of. It would be entirely inappropriate for me to comment," he said.

In an affidavit seen by the Herald, Samson alleges that in his view Harris' "pattern of behaviour he demonstrated amounts to improper practice".

"In my opinion, this points to his underlying agenda and motivations to disrupt the businesses I am associated with," said Samson, who in July 2004 was sentenced at the High Court in Christchurch to five years' jail on methamphetamine charges.

He alleges that in his view police officers under Harris have "requested falsification" of documents and information to discredit The Cotton Club, elicited information in questionable circumstances, and treated customers poorly.

The complaints are backed by 12 supporting affidavits signed by people who work in the Christchurch hospitality trade.

Unrelated to Samson's accusations, Harris moved from the alcohol harm reduction unit in August and is now working as the police "smart working lead" for Christchurch's new Justice and Emergency Services Precinct.