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Go Go owner testifies he didn’t know of any drug dealing, sex acts in club
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Continuation of a public hearing is Monday the 18th to remove the liquor license from the Go Go Cabaret in Austintown. Here, the sign is partially covered by a tarp.
By Elise Franco
A hearing to decide whether the cabaret should reopen continues today.
YOUNGSTOWN — Go Go Cabaret owner and manager Sebastian Rucci testified that he had no knowledge of drug trafficking or sexual activity inside the Austintown club.
Robert Bush, an assistant Mahoning County prosecutor, resumed questioning Monday before Judge Lou A. D’Apolito of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. A hearing began Friday to determine whether the cabaret should remain closed; it continues today.
Police raided the club May 1, making arrests after a drug investigation. The cabaret has been in operation since December 2007 and has been the source of police, fire and zoning complaints. The prosecution said the business has become an Austintown nuisance.
Rucci was called as the prosecution’s last witness of the day. He admitted knowing many of his dancers had drug problems before hiring them but said they agreed not to bring drugs into the club. He said every potentially illegal issue was brought to his attention and resolved, citing a doorman who checked identification and cameras in all private rooms as ways to curb underage drinking and sexual misconduct.
“The drugs were very difficult to control,” Rucci said. “I put everything in place to prevent it. I never, never knew they were doing it inside.”
He said he spends hours at the club each day and has never seen an employee or dancer doing drugs or engaging in sexual activity.
Stephanie Yash, 24, of Girard was a dancer at the club. She was arrested when the club was raided; authorities said she sold crack cocaine and heroin to an undercover informant.
Rucci testified that he knew Yash had drug addictions. He said she was suspended twice for abusing drugs and alcohol but was allowed to return to work after pleading with him. Rucci said he didn’t know she, or any other dancer, was selling drugs on cabaret property.
“She told me she was clean,” he said. “I believed her.”
Rucci said dancers were often reminded that any type of sexual contact with patrons was unacceptable.
“I told them this was a clean club,” he said.
Detective Sgt. Jeff Solic testified Friday that sex coupons were found in Rucci’s office during the raid. Rucci testified the coupons were purchased by a disc jockey as a game for a bachelorette party.
“The book was never used,” he said. “He purchased five or six other games to play, but I told him we couldn’t use it.”
Rucci said he put the book of coupons on his desk and realizes he should have thrown it away.
Atty. Martin Yavorcik, who represents the cabaret, is to present his case when court resumes today. Rucci is also on the defense witness list, along with 12 others, including cabaret managers, employees and dancers.
efranco@vindy.com