Mr Lai is Mr and Mrs Yee's nephew.The Emperor's Garden site has conditional approval for a $44.5 million redevelopment that will transform the existing three-storey premises into a 16-storey complex containing 22 residential apartments.A document prepared in support of the development application described Hynsco and Mr Lai's cousins Valentine Yee and Jonathan Yee as behind the plans.Mr Lai could not be contacted for comment Neither could Jonathan Yee.A post on the Emperor's Garden Instagram page said the company's restaurant and bakery was "taking a small break" and "we'll be back soon". The Emperor's Garden BBQ and Noodles restaurant on Thomas Street is still open.Meanwhile, Valentine and Jonathan Yee are each facing charges in the NSW Local Court relating to an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) investigation into a $100,000 donation to the Labor Party made by a prohibited donor.The investigation, codenamed Operation Aero, found billionaire property developer Huang Xiangmo donated the cash, and Jonathan Yee, then involved with Chinese Friends of Labor, helped disguise the true origin of the money by organising for his mother, brother, several Emperor's Garden employees and To Yip of Harbour City Group to each sign a false donation declaration form.Valentine Yee, his mother May Ho Yee and an Emperor's Garden employee, Wei Shi, have each been charged with giving false or misleading evidence to a public inquiry after appearing as witnesses at a 2019 hearing.Valentine Yee has pleaded guilty to one count of giving false/misleading evidence at public inquiry, and Mr Shi has pleaded not guilty