French Quarter Clubs Back In Business After Judge Restores Liquor Licenses

It is hard not to view this story as Louisiana cronyism as usual.It certainly seemed like a credible investigation was completed by a credible state office and those in violation were punished in an apropriate manner. However, this is New Orleans.

I am sure Judge Regina Woods in New Orleans was doing the job she was hired to do. She heard the appeal of four French Quarter strip clubs and restored the ability of those clubs to sell alcohol and tobacco to their patrons. This after an investigation by the Louisiana State Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control determined that the clubs were violating the law in a rather big way.

According to ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert the clubs in question were involved in prostitution, drugs, and other lewd activities that went beyond the letter of the law. Hebert is not  pleased at all with Judge Woods ruling.

New Orleans is going to need to make a decision.  They're either going to want law and order over there or they're going to want the Wild Wild West, because that's what they basically have over there now.

Hebert's comments to the Louisiana Radio Network indicate that his office believes the temporary restraining order issued by Judge Woods that overturned the suspension of alcohol and tobacco sales at the clubs in question does not convey the proper message.

After numerous counts of prostitution, drugs, lewd and improper behavior that was very well documented that these clubs would actually be allowed to open.  Some less than 24 hours after they were served.

A hearing on the suspension of the licenses and the temporary restraining order is set for next week. Meanwhile the adult oriented businesses will be allowed to operate as usual until that hearing has been completed.