VB Man goes to jail then loses business

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - Virginia Beach resident John Papakostas has had one bad week. On Monday, he was accused of peeping tom activity. Over the next two days, the city closed down his business.

A witness claimed Papakostas was looking into two windows at the Waterfront Apartments off Holland Road. Police say he was confronted by three residents, but took off in his car. Officers later found Papakostas in his bar, Smokies Bar and Grill. And that is where WAVY.com found him Friday.

When asked about the peeping Tom allegations, Papakostas said, "Well, they do accuse me of that, now...I did not do this...Did they take a picture of me? Did they see me eye to eye?"

Papakostas said he wasn't confronted either.

According to police, the neighbors got a license plate number and the plate was traced back to Papakostas. He was charged with two counts of peeping Tom.

But, that was only the beginning of Papakostas' problems.

Smokies, which is known as the official meeting place to watch Buffalo Bills NFL football games, was shut down this week after the fire department deemed it unsafe. Code enforcement officials took lots of pictures of the offenses.

WAVY.com asked Papakostas if he thought the long electrical lines running along the ceiling was unsafe, as the city did.

"No. I do not agree. No," Papakostas said.

But just last week, Smokies' restaurant inspection had only one critical violation.

Virginia Beach Health District Environmental Health Supervisor Valerie Thompson said, "They had violations that did not require a suspension or enforcement procedures at the time. We did note the repeat violation of floors, walls and ceiling not maintained in good repair."

Smokies remains closed until further notice.