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Strip Club Owner Appeals Denial of License Renewal

Strip Club Owner Appeals Denial of License Renewal

By Mike Allen

The owner of Cheetahs strip club in Kearny Mesa was denied a renewal of his club’s license this month, setting up the possibility the club would have to close.

Michael Galardi, who also owns strip clubs in Las Vegas, had the renewal of his license denied this month, but has appealed the action while the club continues operating.

The date for the appeal hearing before an outside arbitrator has not been set yet, said Lt. Robb Hurt, of the San Diego Police Department Vice Squad.

The Vice Squad’s denial was based on Galardi’s guilty plea to multiple felonies in a federal case that also involves three San Diego city councilmen. Galardi and the elected officials are charged with devising a plan to amend the no-touch regulation governing lap dancing in strip clubs in exchange for money. Galardi and John D’Intino, Cheetahs manager, pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges. The councilmen, Ralph Inzunza, Charles Lewis, and Michael Zucchet, and Galardi lobbyist Lance Malone, also charged in the case, have pleaded not guilty. The elected officials said they accepted funds as legitimate campaign contributions.

Galardi and D’Intino are awaiting sentencing, but have been cooperating with federal prosecutors. The trial for the three councilmen, Malone, and a council aide, David Cowan, was deemed complex, and will likely begin sometime next year.

Hurt said if the appeal is upheld, one of the city’s options is to close the club. However, there is also the possibility someone else could apply for a license, he said.

Hurt said the denial of the license was not only because of Galardi’s guilty pleas in two separate federal cases, but a number of violations at the Kearny Mesa club.

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