Go Go to fight license repeal

By Elise Franco

The cabaret’s owner also accuses Austintown officials of harassment.

AUSTINTOWN — Go Go Cabaret owner Sebastian Rucci said an appeal of the state Liquor Control Commission’s decision not to renew the cabaret’s license is already in the works.

Jada Brady, the liquor commission’s executive director, said Rucci received the decision Friday by certified mail.

The cabaret had its latest hearing before the liquor commission on Feb. 8. It focused on an earlier denial by the liquor commission of the Austintown Township club’s liquor license.

Brady said the decision Friday not to renew was based on testimony heard during that Feb. 8 hearing, as well as all evidence presented over the course of the case, including the club’s record.

“You make the decision by looking at the facts of the case,” she said.

Brady said the Go Go’s record includes more than a dozen citations in 2009 that included after-hours consumption, drug abuse, illegal sale of drugs and improper conduct.

Rucci said he’s not surprised by the commission’s latest decision and has already begun work on an appeal. He said it likely will be filed by Monday.

The liquor commission had moved to revoke the club’s license in November 2009, citing illegal drug activities that were uncovered during a police raid earlier that year. But Rucci also appealed that decision, and a Columbus judge issued a stay, allowing the business to continue to serve alcohol to customers.

“We’re going to do the appeals and keep at it,” Rucci said.

The club owner said Friday’s decision basically echoes the one from last November that was stayed by the federal court.

Rucci also filed a separate federal lawsuit, alleging harassment and unfair treatment by Austintown Township. That case is scheduled to be heard in August, Rucci said.

In the meantime, he wants his customers to know that the club is permitted to sell alcohol during the appeals process.

“We still have liquor,” he said. “We’re in multiple courts, and [the cases] will all need to be resolved before they can really say no to us.”

Brady said until the appeals are exhausted, the Go Go’s liquor license remains in limbo.

“We have to wait and see what happens next,” she said.

Austintown Trustee David Ditzler said he’s frustrated with the entire situation.

“It doesn’t really seem to matter what they do, or what violations are found. It’s never altered his mode of operations,” he said. “Once it gets to the state level, they just bounce it back and forth between different government entities.”

Ditzler said he wants to see some type of closure to the issue but doesn’t know if and when that will happen.

“This is going on for over a year now. We’ve won at every level that they’ve made a decision on,” he said. “It’s extremely frustrating when you’re trying to clean up activity in the community ... that isn’t conducive to how you want your community perceived.”

efranco@vindy,com