Rumors are swirling that prosecutors and Deena Luce, proprietor
of the Forum Adult Social Club, are close to finalizing a deal that
would settle the partner-swapping sex club’s numerous citations for
operating a business without a license in Gilroy.
Rumors are swirling that prosecutors and Deena Luce, proprietor of the Forum Adult Social Club, are close to finalizing a deal that would settle the partner-swapping sex club’s numerous citations for operating a business without a license in Gilroy.
While we’re all for saving the criminal justice system time and money by avoiding prosecution in this case, it’s imperative that the settlement not be a slap on the wallet for Luce and her business. Although she faces up to six months jail time for each offense after the first three – and Luce and her associates garnered 20 citations between Aug. 16 and Nov. 2 – we don’t mind if Luce doesn’t darken a jail cell door.
But we do mind if she keeps the vast majority of her profits and costs the city – the taxpayers – cash for law enforcement, attorney fees and staff time. By our calculations, the fine in this case could top out at $17,800. We urge prosecutors to insist that more than half of those fines are paid and to seek attorney fees. It’s certainly not unreasonable that Luce and her club should be fined an amount equivalent to the monies earned at one of the Forum’s big party nights.
Luce thumbed her nose at the authorities who were enforcing zoning standards and laws regarding business licenses, which are in place for the greater good of the community. She continued to operate the club despite repeated citations, and when she did finally move its operations, it was to an area zoned for agricultural use – this time on Dryden Avenue, in the county, just outside Gilroy city limits.
On Dec. 9, the county notified the property owner from whom Luce leased the Dryden Avenue house to evict the club by Dec. 26, yet the weekend partying continues. The club’s neighbors, frustrated by the slow pace of removing Luce and her cronies, have resorted to videotaping customers as they arrive for a night of hedonism, in hopes of shaming them away. It shouldn’t have to come to this.
That’s why, in addition to insisting on a hefty fine, prosecutors should try and press a settlement that includes Luce vacating the home turned sex club on Dryden Avenue immediately.
We also have a suggestion – that the the city attorney make contact with Internal Revenue Service officials and California tax authorities – who will want to make sure that every penny of the club’s revenue has been properly accounted for and reported since the club’s inception.
If Luce and her customers want to a place to swing, they have a right to find one, but they must to do so within the bounds of all applicable laws – zoning, business license and permit ordinances, as well as personal and business income tax codes.
Taxpayers and law-abiding citizens and businesses deserve nothing less than full and vigorous enforcement of these laws against anyone who flouts them.
