Adult businesses in Valley not targeted, police say

By Elise Franco

The only bust that law-abiding patrons of adult businesses need to worry about are those of the dancers.

Local police and law enforcement officials say two recent stings in Canfield and Austintown were isolated and aren’t part of a larger adult business crackdown.

In April, Canfield police arrested five people in relation to an alleged prostitution ring at two city motels, the El Patio and Canfield Colonial.

The Go Go Cabaret on Clarkins Drive in Austintown was shut down in May after an investigation into alleged prostitution and drug activity.

Austintown Police Chief Bob Gavalier was involved in the Go Go investigation. He said any incidents at the townships other adult clubs, The Babylon on Javit Court and Club 76 on 76 Drive, have been patron-related.

“We get calls once in a while for smoking complaints at [Club] 76,” he said. “There’s been a couple reports of some assaults with patrons inside.”

Gavalier said the Go Go was initially targeted because of resident complaints and non-compliance with zoning laws. Evidence of drug use and possible prostitution was eventually discovered by undercover officers and informants.

“I think the other two clubs monitor their employees better than the Go Go ever did,” he said. “I think at the time [Go Go owner] Sebastian Rucci was new at the management game, basically learning as he went.”

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.