RICHMOND -
After two days of hearings with the ABC Board, Club Owner Sam Moore still doesn't know the fate of his business.
The hearings wrapped up Tuesday afternoon, but the board now was 90 days to make a decision. They are investigating accusations of underage dancers drinking alcohol, alcohol served after hours, and public nudity at Club Velvet.
At the hearings, former dancers admitted to underage drinking so much on the job that they were unable to dance or even walk. Other crimes recalled by former employees included witnessing drug use, and seeing some employees receive payment to perform sexual acts.
Moore's attorney, Kevin Martingayle, says his client is being unfairly targeted. He says the Commonwealth had unimpressive evidence and was only able to prove minor infractions like bringing alcohol in to unlicensed parts of the club. Martingayle says they cut deals with witnesses who should have been charged with their own crimes.
He adds that the way the Commonwealth tried this case puts their priorities in question. "Felonies have dropped in return for testimony in a civil administrative proceeding" Martingayle said.
The hearings wrapped up Tuesday afternoon, but the board now was 90 days to make a decision. They are investigating accusations of underage dancers drinking alcohol, alcohol served after hours, and public nudity at Club Velvet.
At the hearings, former dancers admitted to underage drinking so much on the job that they were unable to dance or even walk. Other crimes recalled by former employees included witnessing drug use, and seeing some employees receive payment to perform sexual acts.
Moore's attorney, Kevin Martingayle, says his client is being unfairly targeted. He says the Commonwealth had unimpressive evidence and was only able to prove minor infractions like bringing alcohol in to unlicensed parts of the club. Martingayle says they cut deals with witnesses who should have been charged with their own crimes.
He adds that the way the Commonwealth tried this case puts their priorities in question. "Felonies have dropped in return for testimony in a civil administrative proceeding" Martingayle said.
