Judge rules Austintown law OKs lap dancing
AUSTINTOWN — Dismissal of prostitution charges against 16 dancers at the Go Go Girls Cabaret could impact a related case against club owner
Sebastian Rucci.
Judge David A. D’Apolito of Mahoning County Area Court in Austintown dropped 40 charges against the 16 women on the basis that lap dancing and being compensated for that act isn’t a form of prostitution.
A motion to suppress some of the prosecution’s evidence was also granted.
The judgment entry stated that the Go Go is operating under a township-issued permit, which allows dancers to “perform in a state of nudity,” and includes “erotic touching.”
“It seems apparent that lap dancing is contemplated by the township as a potential form of entertainment. ... The court finds it difficult to believe the township would knowingly grant permits allowing illegal sexual activity to occur,” the judge wrote Sept. 2.
Atty. James Vitullo, who represented the 16 defendants, said he presented video evidence of the women performing lap dances. He said none of the videos showed illegal sexual activity.
“This vindicates everything that Sebastian [Rucci] has been saying, that this whole thing is made up,” he said.
Ken Cardinal, an assistant Mahoning County prosecutor, said he already has filed appeals on each of the dismissed charges.
“We never had a day in court,” he said. “[Judge D’Apolito] didn’t ask the prosecution to present any evidence. You have to give us a basis of why you’re going to suppress our evidence.”
Cardinal said the judge stated the township issued the Go Go an operating permit, which was incorrect.
For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com