Go Go gets green light

Judge gives cabaret in Austintown Twp. go-ahead to reopen

By ELISE FRANCO

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

AUSTINTOWN — The Go Go Cabaret can get back into the adult-entertainment business as soon as today.

Judge Lou D’Apolito of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court ruled Wednesday that the cabaret on Clarkins Drive in the township has put specific measures in place to prevent any continued nuisance.

The club will be allowed to reopen today, the ruling states.

An earlier May 27 ruling had stated the club was a public nuisance and would be shut down for up to one year, with a provision that the cabaret may apply for release from the order after 90 days.

Now Go Go management “has re-written their employment policies, providing for pat-down searches, drug testing and criminal background checks,” the ruling said. “Other acceptable changes have been made to monitor the entertainers, employees and patrons.”

The Go Go Cabaret was shut down May 1 after a police raid that resulted in the arrests of several people on charges ranging from theft to drug trafficking.

The ruling also stated that the cabaret’s owner, Sebastian Rucci, had addressed township zoning issues.

A satellite dish with the silhouette of a woman’s face was removed from the property May 20. It had been the center of a zoning controversy for the club.

Rucci previously said removing the dish was just one step toward complying with the township’s requests. He could not be reached Wednesday.

Judge D’Apolito said in the ruling that keeping the club closed beyond the 90-day period won’t help prevent further illegal activities.

“It is now apparent that continuing the judgment will cause more harm to the cabaret, its employees and its patrons,” the ruling stated.

efranco@vindy.com