WEEK IN REVIEW:
WEEK IN REVIEW: No license, no liquor, no lap dances at club
WYNN MACAU CASINO The billboard of the Wynn Macau casino shines Tuesday in front of the Lisboa Casino in Macau. Steve Wynn threw open the doors of the $1.2 billion casino in the Chinese territory, where "the speed of development is dizzying," Wynn told reporters. Photo by The Associate Press
Former county Recorder Fran Deane, right, hauls personal belongings from the Clark County Government Center on Friday. A judge removed her from office after reviewing evidence he said proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Deane engaged in malfeasance as county recorder. Photo by K.M. Cannon.
Lap dances and liquor sales ceased Friday at the Crazy Horse Too Gentlemen's Club after owner Rick Rizzolo decided to close while fighting disciplinary action by the Las Vegas City Council.
District Judge Mark Denton earlier in the day denied the strip club's request for a temporary restraining order to stop city officials from enforcing the discipline, which includes revocation of the club's liquor license.
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The City Council voted Wednesday to revoke the club's liquor license and impose a $2.2 million fine for crimes committed by the business, Rizzolo and several employees.
In June, Rizzolo pleaded guilty in federal court to a felony tax charge as part of a deal that requires him to sell the club. His corporation, The Power Co., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in an enterprise engaged in racketeering activity.
On Thursday, the Crazy Horse Too briefly stopped selling alcohol in response to the City Council's action, but it resumed liquor sales after Crazy Horse Too attorney Anthony Sgro claimed city officials served the disciplinary order improperly.
However, beginning about 1:30 p.m. Friday, bouncers at the Industrial Road club turned away patrons.
"I do not believe that they've been served properly. However, Rick (Rizzolo) has determined that in an abundance of caution he should wait before continuing to do business until we have the judge's order," Sgro said.
MONDAY
Group supports traffic cameras
The Nevada Sheriffs and Chiefs Association wants the Legislature to make not wearing a seat belt a primary traffic offense, and see traffic cameras used to catch red-light runners.
Automated traffic cameras are illegal in Nevada under legislation adopted in 1999. And a ticket for failing to use a seat belt can be written only if a motorist is pulled over for some other offense first.
Douglas County Sheriff Ron Pierini, past president of the group, said both measures are aimed at saving lives. "We ask how you can say no to a program that will stop people from getting hurt."
TUESDAY
Judge removes Deane from office
A judge ordered Fran Deane's removal from the position of Clark County recorder, saying she violated the public's trust by accepting payments from two businessmen in exchange for access to county records.
Clark County District Judge Douglas Herndon took Deane's elected office away from her after reviewing evidence.
"What happens to people in office that guides them to commit a violation of the public trust? ... I don't know why that happens," Herndon said. "It contributes to a real distrust of elected officials in this county. That's a tragedy."
WEDNESDAY
Attorneys to aid 58 at Child Haven
A nonprofit legal group announced plans to represent at least 58 minors at Child Haven and hospital nurseries.
The Children's Attorney Project's lead attorney, Stephanie Charter, said the children are not receiving their rights under state and federal laws to care in a familylike environment.
"These infants and toddlers are in Child Haven because they are already victims of abuse and neglect," she said. "For them to have any risk of further victimization, this time in a county shelter, is simply not acceptable."
THURSDAY
Lawsuit says commissioner lied
Two labor unions filed a lawsuit asking a judge to block Clark County Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald from seeking re-election, alleging she lied about living in the district she represents.
The residency challenge lawsuit filed by the Police Protective Association and Culinary Local 226 contends Boggs McDonald perjured herself in a candidacy document by stating she lives in District F, the southwestern valley district she's seeking to represent for a second term.
"The public should be outraged at the kind of facade Ms. Boggs McDonald has been trying to put on," said Dave Kallas, executive director of the PPA.
FRIDAY
TASC off ballot; PISTOL stays
The Nevada Supreme Court on Friday kicked a proposal to limit growth in government spending off the November ballot and severely curtailed another measure intended to restrict the ability of government to take private land.
The Tax and Spending Control for Nevada measure, or TASC, would have limited government spending growth to increases in population growth plus inflation.
The court allowed the portions of the People's Initiative to Stop the Taking of Our Land, or PISTOL, dealing with eminent domain to go before voters.
"The court did the right thing," said Danny Thompson, chairman of Nevadans for Nevada, the union-backed group that fought TASC.
