MEMPHIS, TN – Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons announced Tuesday that King of Clubs will remain closed for 90 days (with credit for time already closed) as part of an agreement that ends the current nuisance action. After that time the nightclub may reopen under a new name, new management and strict conditions.
Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter had issued an order granting a temporary injunction closing King of Clubs, located at 1741 East Brooks Road, until a hearing set for earlier this week. However, both sides had asked for a continuance to work out details of the agreement. King of Clubs is owned by The Charles Ross, LLC and Brooks Road Entertainment Concepts.
The District Attorney said his office took this most recent action against King of Clubs because Memphis police reported prostitution arrests on the property in December and January. These offenses occurred after the D.A.’s Office had previously closed the nightclub twice before while the club was under different ownership.
“This location has a history of illegal activity. Any hope of changing that will require more than a new name. At the least, it requires a clean break with the past, which can only occur by being closed for a significant period of time.” said District Attorney Gibbons.
“I’m fed up with illegal activity occurring at this location. We’re going to give the new owner a chance to show that he can change things. I hope this approach will work. Time will tell,” Gibbons added.
King of Clubs was initially closed by the D.A.’s Office and the Memphis police under the Tennessee nuisance statute on August 7, 2003, and for a second time on April1, 2004. Both times, the owners, American Management, LLC, and Brent Perritt, admitted the nightclub was a nuisance and agreed to re-open under a court order in which strict conditions were placed to ensure that criminal activity, specifically prostitution, did not take place on the premises.
Tennessee law states that the District Attorney General has authority to bring a civil action against any establishment deemed a nuisance. The statute defines a nuisance, in part, as “any place in or upon which… assignation, patronizing prostitution, promoting prostitution… quarrelling, drunkenness, fighting, or breaches of the peace are carried on or permitted.”
The District Attorney’s Office has closed several businesses under the Tennessee nuisance statute, including Platinum Plus on August 26, 2005; 1100 West Holmes on February 28, 2005; the Deluxe Inn on November 4, 2004; Club Universe, closed on July 23, 2004 and permanently closed by Judge Potter later that month; PT’s Showclub, closed on February 27, 2004; Ebony and Lace on August 8, 2003; Denim & Diamonds, closed on June 12, 2003 and permanently closed by Judge Potter later that month; The Tavern and Nite Tan, both closed on March 15, 2003; The Bellevue Inn, closed on February 28, 2003; Raiford’s Lounge, shut down on February 8, 2003; The Graceland Inn, closed on December 12, 2002; and Casey’s Motel, closed on November 12, 2002.