Media Release

Thursday, June 26, 2008
For Immediate Release
Communications

Contact: Diana Paul
Telephone: 229-6501

Federal Judge Rules With City Of Las Vegas In Crazy Horse Too Case

Federal Judge Philip Pro ruled today that the federal government's motion to stay the expiration of the exotic dance use permit and tavern license for the Crazy Horse was denied. This means the facility's "grandfather" status will end at midnight on June 30. 

The city argued that the court should deny the federal government’s motion because “it would usurp neutral local land use planning and zoning ordinances.”

The federal government seized the Crazy Horse Too in August 2007 and has been attempting to sell the property to resolve fines and court judgments against the former owner.
 
 According to the judge’s ruling:

The Court finds that while it may not have intended to do so, the United States has significantly contributed to the dilemma that brings it to the Court seeking extraordinary relief at the eleventh hour. The United States is the prosecuting authority who negotiated the Plea Agreements in this case with Defendants with all of its potential benefits and problems. The United States could have attempted to obtain or extend the license and permits for forfeited property by operating the Crazy Horse Too directly or through a receiver. It chose not to do so… That the United States has made a policy decision not to preserve the value of the forfeited Property by acting on its own behalf diminishes its request that this Court grant extraordinary relief to do what the United States voluntarily chose not to do.
 
“The judge’s ruling was right on the button,” said Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman. “It always amazed me that the federal government didn’t move in a timely manner to protect its rights and the rights of the victim of the Crazy Horse Too.”

The Crazy Horse Too began operation as a sexually oriented business prior to other specific establishments being built around it. Now, the expiration of the licenses would create a zoning issue where the facility would be a nonconforming use. 

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