By Helena Horton,Rob Davies
Publication Date: 2026-04-16 16:47:00
A businessman has pleaded guilty to making false statements to shut down a nightclub, which police believe was made using AI.
A Metropolitan Police source said the use of AI to generate letters from complainants who don’t exist was a growing problem.
Aldo d’Aponte, 47, the CEO of Arbitrage Group Properties, pleaded guilty to allegedly having his neighbors write two letters opposing the reopening of Heaven nightclub, which was temporarily closed following a rape allegation against one of its security guards.
D’Aponte was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £26.
Heaven, an LGBTQ nightclub in central London, had its license revoked in November 2024 after a 19-year-old woman accused a bouncer of rape. After a council hearing a month later, it was allowed to reopen with enhanced social and safety guidelines. The worker was later found not guilty of the alleged offense.
During the council hearing, council officials said…
