Judge says Las Vegas strip club can use Crazy Horse Too name

Crazy is back on the marquee of the Crazy Horse Too.

Michael Galam, the new owner of the once mob-connected club, couldn’t use the term “crazy horse” when he re-opened it in May because the owners of another Las Vegas strip club, Crazy Horse III, had filed suit claiming the legal rights to the term belonged to them.

So Galam re-opened his South Industrial Road club under the name The Horse Gentleman’s Club. But he never removed “crazy” from the marquee. He just covered it up until the legal battle turned his way.

On Tuesday, things turned Galam’s way.

U.S. District Judge James Mahan issued a decision withdrawing a preliminary injunction prohibiting Galam from using “crazy horse” in the club’s name. Mahan said new evidence had surfaced that showed Galam purchased the rights to the term when he bought the troubled property.

Bright and early Wednesday The Crazy Horse Too was reborn on the club’s marquee.

“I am extremely happy with Judge Mahan’s ruling this morning,” Galam said in a statement late Tuesday. “We are excited to move forward from today as The Crazy Horse Too.”

Galam, who owns strip clubs in Los Angeles, said his legal battle with the Crazy Horse III was “unnecessary,” and he’s ready to take whatever steps necessary to protect the name of his Las Vegas club.

The Crazy Horse Too’s longtime former owner, Rick Rizzolo, was forced out in 2006 after he pleaded guilty in a decade-long FBI-IRS racketeering investigation.

The government ended up seizing the club in 2007 while Rizzolo was in federal prison and ultimately shut it down until Galam, acquired it.

During its heyday under Rizzolo’s ownership, the Crazy Horse Too was a haven for mobsters, celebrities and politicians.

The club attracted the FBI’s interest after a number of patrons were beaten by club bouncers, including Kansas City area man Kirk Henry, who would up paralyzed following a 2001 altercation.

Rizzolo, who was last reported to be selling cars, has been in court for years fighting efforts by Henry’s lawyers to get him to pay in full a $10 million settlement stemming from his injuries.