Hearing set in cabaret case

Staff report

Youngstown

Whether Sebastian Rucci, owner of the Go Go Cabaret in Austintown, and his five co-defendants go to trial as scheduled depends on the outcome of a hearing and a briefing next week.

Rucci was before Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court on Thursday, along with Curtis Jones, Derrick L. Dozier, Wayne Penny and Peter E. Scuillo II.

They are charged with engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, money laundering, perjury and two counts each of promoting prostitution. Jones, Dozier, Penny and Scuillo were club employees last year.

Robert Neill, former club manager, also was present and is charged with one count of promoting prostitution.

Several motions were filed recently, including a motion by the defense to dismiss the indictments and a motion filed on behalf of Penny for a protection order against Austintown Detective Jeff Solic, whom Penny said had been contacting him.

Judge Sweeney set a hearing on the motion for protection for 10 a.m. next Friday and said she will hear oral arguments on the motion to dismiss the indictments at the same time.

The judge said she’ll rule on both motions as early as Oct. 12 and asked the defendants and their attorneys to return for a briefing Oct. 13, where they’ll determine if they’ll be ready for trial Oct. 18.