Go Go Cabaret gets to keep liquor license for present

Many of the employees are single mothers, the court filing states.

By Marc Kovac

COLUMBUS — The Go Go Cabaret will continue to serve alcohol to customers for the immediate future, after a Columbus judge stayed a state board’s decision to revoke the club’s liquor license.

Jim Vitullo, legal counsel for Go Go owner Sebastian Rucci, and the Ohio Liquor Control Commission confirmed the stay Monday, stopping the license revocation from taking effect as planned at noon Friday.

The decision continues the legal wrangling between the club and state and local officials, who have sought to strip the cabaret of its liquor license — a move the club’s owner says will mean economic ruin for the business and its employees.

The closure would have adverse effects on about six dozen employees, plus food, liquor and other suppliers that do business with the club, according to court documents filed by Vitullo late last week.

The filing added: “During these recessionary economic times, there are no alternative jobs waiting for them in the Mahoning Valley. The revocation will result in the closure of the business and, since many of the employees are single mothers, the closure will impact these employees and their children.”

The Go Go Cabaret was cited earlier this year with nine violations, mostly related to illegal drug activities, after a raid of the business by law enforcement.

The Ohio Liquor Control Commission subsequently revoked the club’s liquor license, citing the violations.

But Vitullo last week appealed the decision in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.

The case is separate from an appeal the liquor control commission is scheduled to hear in February of an earlier decision not to renew the Go Go Cabaret’s liquor license.

Rucci has also filed a federal lawsuit, alleging harassment and unfair treatment of his business.

Rucci said earlier that he would continue to pursue legal action against the township trustees and state liquor control officials to ensure his club can serve liquor to customers and remain in business.

He has said the club remains open and continues to serve alcohol.