Ruling: Go Go a no go for now

El Patio Motel

Video

Photo

CLOSED: El Patio Motel, on U.S. Route 224, was boarded and padlocked Wednesday by Canfield police. Tenants were cleared out by police after a Mahoning County Common Pleas Court magistrate granted a temporary restraining order to the city, authorizing the business to be closed. Police have investigated repeated reports of criminal activity at the motel.

With plan, club can apply to reopen after 90 days

By ELISE FRANCO

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — The Go Go Cabaret could remain closed for up to one year.

In a court ruling Wednesday, Judge Lou A. D’Apolito of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court deemed the Clarkins Drive property in Austintown a public nuisance.

Club owner Sebastian Rucci said the judge’s ruling is fair.

“It’s fine with us. I thought the judge did a nice job. He provides in [the ruling] for us to go back and make some corrective measures,” he said. “It’s a punishment, but at the same time, I could have done better in my community relations.”

During the one-year closure period, city inspectors, fire-safety personnel and law-enforcement officials will have the authority to enter the cabaret and the attached hotel. Cabaret management is granted access to make repairs and conduct maintenance.

A tax of $300 is to be paid to the Mahoning County Clerk of Courts within three days. A fine of $10,000 to be paid to Austintown Township within 14 days was also assessed to the cabaret.

The ruling stated that after 90 days, the cabaret may apply for release from the order. At that time, a specific plan to avoid further illegal activity must be presented and accepted for the cabaret to reopen.

The plan must include specific measures such as employing trained security personnel and management, written employment policies that address drug testing and inspection of employees’ and dancers’ personal items, and cooperation and communication between Rucci and the township.

Township Trustee Lisa Oles said on behalf of the township she is thrilled with the ruling.

“[D’Apolito’s] decision was just and exactly what we would have hoped for in the ruling,” she said. “We’re obviously delighted. We think this was definitely a victory for our residents and the township.”

The cabaret has been in operation since December 2007 and has been the source of police, fire and zoning complaints.

The Go Go was closed after a police raid May 1.

Former cabaret dancers Stephanie Yash, 24, of Girard and Shannon Graves, 20, of Struthers and former employee William Watt, 25, of Girard were arrested in the raid and subsequently indicted on drug-trafficking charges.

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 said removing the dish was a step toward complying with the township’s requests.

“I’ve already created a list of like 11 additional things we’d like to do, and I’ll be happy to take more input,” he said. “We have to take this time to learn ... When you’re in the bar business, there are so many things you have to learn.”

Oles said Rucci attended Tuesday’s trustee meeting and offered a public apology.

“We accepted his apology,” she said. “It’s not our job in the township to stifle growth. As long as a business doesn’t cause harm ... we’re more than willing to work with them.”

efranco@vindy.com