Strip Club Facing ABC Charges in Paterson NJ
Paterson Files Alcoholic Beverage Control Violations Against liquor License
According to a recent article, Paterson police officers raided and shutdown a gentleman’s club during an undercover operation. According to the report, law enforcement officers found acts of prostitution and solicitation at the Paterson establishment which owns a liquor license. Among those alleged to have been involved are seven dancers and a business manager.
The investigation was triggered by numerous complaints over the past month from residents and patrons. According to Paterson Police Director Jerry Speziale, “Dancers would openly solicit patrons for sexual acts in exchange for (money).”
As a result of the raid, El Cabaret manager, Horacio Piccinini, was criminal charged with promoting prostitution and maintaining a nuisance. Additionally, police seized nearly $8,000 of alleged prostitution proceeds from Mr. Piccinini.
Paterson issued 15 charges for violations of Alcoholic Beverage Control laws and regulations. A date and time for the Municipal Hearing on these charges is unknown at this time.
Will They Suspend the Strip Clubs Liquor License?
Whether or not the strip club has its license suspended will depend on a variety of factors. However, assuming the Paterson ABC Board finds that the licensee committed the violations, we can use the presumptive penalties for guidance as to what the outcome may be. Here, the charges against El Cabaret include Lewd Activity, Illegal Activity, Incomplete Employee List and Nuisance. There appear to be multiple “counts” for some of these charges. Moreover, there are varying levels of severity for charges like Lewd Activity and Illegal Activity, depending upon the nature of the conduct and whether it involved an employee. Below is a breakdown of the presumptive penalties for these charges under ABC law:
- Lewd Activity:
- First Offense – 30-day license suspension
- Second Offense – 60-day license suspension
- Third Offense – 90-day license suspension
- Fourth Offense – License Revocation
- Lewd Activity With Audience Participation:
- First Offense – 45-day license suspension
- Second Offense – 90-day license suspension
- Third Offense – License Revocation
- Illegal Activity:
- First Offense – 30-day license suspension
- Second Offense – 60-day license suspension
- Third Offense – 90-day license suspension
- Fourth Offense – License Revocation
- Incomplete Employee List:
- First Offense – 1-day license suspension
- Second Offense – 5-day license suspension
- Third Offense – 10-day license suspension
- Nuisance (involving Police Intervention):
- First Offense – 30-day license suspension
- Second Offense – 60-day license suspension
- Third Offense – 90-day license suspension
- Fourth Offense – License Revocation
New Jersey Liquor License Suspension Attorneys
William C. Fay, IV, Esq., is a former NJ Deputy Attorney General with the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. He has dedicated the better part of his career practicing Alcoholic Beverage Laws throughout the State. For an immediate consultation with Mr. Fay, please contact our office at (732) 858-5857.
