Former strip club to address council for reopening

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — Two strip clubs shut down by Forest Park city leaders are scheduled to return before the city council Monday night.

Forest Park city leaders shut down the Pink Pony South Gentlemen's Club and the Crazy Horse Saloon late last year, after allegations of sodomy, prostitution and gambling happening inside the facilities were made.

Officials tell Channel 2 Action News the closings would have never happened had the businesses operated within the boundaries of the ordinance.

But attorneys for the clubs insist they have done nothing wrong and are being picked on. Amid several lawsuits, the clubs will go back before Forest Park City Council on Monday to try to get their liquor licenses back.

"The civil rights of these property owners and businesses have been trampled on from the beginning," attorney Simon Bloom told Channel 2's Mike Petchenik.

Bloom said he pins his hope on an upcoming court date, where a judge could force the city to allow the clubs to reopen, pending all the legal appeals.

"Do we expect that someday they are going to come to their senses and put these people back to work and let these businesses open? Yes," Simon said.

Channel 2 has learned that the city council delayed the clubs' liquor license once already earlier this month. The club owner has a $15 million federal lawsuit against the city, just one of several suits filed.

The clubs claim to have employed 250 workers at one point before being closed.

WSBTV