Clark County Commission to decide on license in face of serious problems

Strip club puts gag order on beating victim

On the night of June 22, 2007, businessman Michael Grasso was severely beaten inside Treasures Gentleman’s Club. Grasso sued Treasures and received a confidential settlement of $1,000,000.00.  (see: Link )

As part of the settlement agreement, Grasso agreed to not mention his beating to reporters or public officials. However based on an action this week in Clark County District Court, attorneys for Treasures believe Grasso is about to violate his agreement at a liquor licensing hearing to take place within several weeks before the Clark County Commission.

On Tuesday June 12, attorneys for Hassan and Ali Davari, the owners of Treasures in Las Vegas and Houston, obtained a gag order on Grasso to stop him from telling his story during the licensing of “Cover Girls,” the Davari’s latest acquisition. Cover Girls is located on the site of the former Jaguars strip club once owned by Michael Galardi.

Davari’s attorney Ross Goodman suspects that Grasso was the person who tipped off several members of the Clark County Commission about serious troubles the Davaris are having with police and officials in Harris County, Texas prior to Cover Girls obtaining a temporary county liquor license without a public hearing back on April 17.

Several members of the Clark County Commission have recently expressed interest in having Grasso speak at the upcoming licensing hearing, and that’s obviously not going over well with Goodman or his clients, hence this TRO:

Motion for Temporary Restraining Order (11:30 AM) (Judicial Officer Denton, Mark R.)
Plaintiff’s Ex Parte Application for Temporary Restraining Order and Motion for Preliminary Injunction on Order Shortening Time
 
  Minutes
06/12/2012 11:30 AM

 
Ross Goodman, Esq., for Plaintiffs PLAINTIFF’S EX PARTE APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AND MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION ON OST Also appearing, Alson Lee, Client Representative

Court indicated to Counsel that only the TRO was being considered at this hearing. Additionally, the Court further informed Counsel that Defendant Grasso had contacted Chambers and spoke to the JEA and indicated he was out of town and traveling and was given the option of appearing telephonically; he later left a message saying he would not participate in this hearing until he was formally served with the Motion. Therefore, Court finds Defendant Grasso is aware of the application, that same is being heard this morning, and was given the opportunity to appear telephonically.

Mr. Goodman then explained the terms of a confidential settlement and the violations by Defendant Grasso to those terms and the detriment and the harm his actions have caused Plaintiffs. Upon inquiries as to 1st Amendment Rights and Public Policy, Mr. Goodman explained that Defendant Grasso has already agreed to the confidential settlement that includes not making disparaging comments about Plaintiffs. As to Public Policy, Court modified the TRO to state Defendant Grasso cannot make affirmative statements about Plaintiffs but if questioned by a public body such as County Commissioners, the TRO would not prevent him from answering. With modifications notated in the TRO, COURT ORDERED the temporary restraining order GRANTED; Bond set at FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500) and Motion for Preliminary Injunction SET. Any opposition by Defendant is due by June 22, 2012. Mr. Goodman also requested the Constable’s Affidavit, previously filed, be filed under seal and COURT ORDERED Affidavit REDACTED to the extent that paragraph eleven (11) beginning on page 3 and ending on page 4 be redacted. Mr. Goodman to prepare proposed Order. 6/25/2012 AT 9:00AM MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

Steve Miller, is a former Las Vegas City Councilman. In 1991, the readers of the Las Vegas Review Journal voted him the “Most Effective Public Official” in Southern Nevada. Miller writes internationally syndicated columns on organized crime and political corruption for Rick Porrello’s AmericanMafia.com.

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