The owner of an all-nude Pomona “gentlemen’s club” sued the city Tuesday, alleging that a “vendetta” exists against the business and that a police officer is constantly harassing the dancers by warning them they could end up with permanent criminal records if they do not quit.
B Legal Inc.’s Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit alleges civil rights violations by the city and Officer Angela Torres. The club, which operates under the name Bare N Legal Showgirls on Pomona Boulevard, has sustained more than $1 million in damages and the establishment is losing business because of the city’s conduct, the suit alleges.
“The city is destroying a lawful business,” according to the complaint.
Mark Gluba, a spokesman for the city, said the municipality does not comment on pending litigation.
The club’s website says “Bare N Legal Showgirls” is Pomona’s “favorite all nude gentlemen’s club that specializes “in performances by California’s most gorgeous exotic dancers” with “today’s HOTTEST XXX film stars live on our stage.” The website also notes that “VIP dances are totally nude and completely private,” with a “nude coach dance” offered for $20, a “3 Song VIP” for $60, a “15 Minute VIP” for $75 and a “30 Minute VIP” for $140.
The suit states that B Legal Inc.’s president, Steve Kozub, opened the club in October 2006 after previously operating a similar establishment, Baby Dolls, on Holt Avenue in the 1990s.
Torres is leading the alleged attack on Bare N Legal as she “constantly threatens the dancers” and disparages management, according to the suit, which alleges she “repeatedly goes to the business to intimidate the dancers.”
Torres regularly stops the music, turns on the lights and speaks to the dancers, trying to persuade them to quit, the suit states.
Police and code enforcement officers issue citations to club personnel and the dancers, prompting many of the dancers to quit, according to the complaint.
“Torres lies to the dancers and tells the dancers their citations will result in their having permanent criminal records including felonies which will remain for the rest of their lives,” the suit alleges.
The city is engaging in civil rights violations by “carrying out this vendetta,” according to the complaint, which also alleges city officials forced a billboard company to remove the club’s advertising.
–City News Service