Appellate court reinstates prositution charges for Go Go Girls cabaret dancers

YOUNGSTOWN — The 7th District Court of Appeals has reinstated misdemeanor prostitution charges against 19 dancers charged with engaging in sex for hire at the Go Go Girls Cabaret in Austintown.

The appellate court ruled today that Judge David D’Apolito of Mahoning County Area Court, Austintown, erred in granting the dancers’ motion to remove from evidence the cabaret’s computers and the surveillance videos they contained, which were seized by police using a search warrant.

“The security camera recordings do not violate state or federal wiretap laws,” the appeals court said of the recordings showing dancers performing for patrons in the cabaret’s private rooms.

The state, which filed the appeal, said the videos offered evidence of prostitution that allegedly occurred in April and May of 2009.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com