NYC Nightclub, "Duvet" Closes Doors
By MEREDITH TRAINA | wpix.com

6:13 p.m. EST, December 5, 2009
NEW YORK (WPIX)—
Trendy NYC nightclub, Duvet is being put to bed.

The State Liquor Authority is shutting down the Chelsea hot spot, following allegations that an ex-con bouncer raped a young, female clubgoer in one of its bathroom stalls.

A three-member panel voted to close the club Friday, following charges that Hunter Dupree, 33, attacked a 23-year-old patron in October.

The woman says she was "incapacitated" in a stall as the club was closing at 4 a.m. When Dupree called out to ask if anyone was in restroom, she cried for help. Instead of providing assistance, she says he raped her.

The woman was later taken to a hospital by her fiancé and police were called.

Sources say the club never should have hired Dupree, who had served more than three years in prison on a weapons charge. Because of his prison time, Dupree was not legally permitted to work as a bouncer.

Dupree was arrested Wednesday and arraigned Thursday.

The West 21st Street club has been hit with a laundry list of violations in the past, but has stayed open through a quirk in state law -- even after its liquor license was not renewed in November 2004.

Cops were called to the club 42 times in the past two years.