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Strip clubs on wheels? Not here, official says

By BILL VARIAN
Published December 1, 2005

TAMPA - Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan wants to make sure the alleged strip club on wheels that appeared outside Raymond James Stadium on Sunday during a Tampa Bay Buccaneers home game doesn't take a detour beyond the city limits and find a legal haven in the county's jurisdiction.

Hagan plans to ask his fellow board members to ask County Attorney Renee Lee to look at existing county nudity ordinances to make certain they would prevent such a venture.

"I guess, in a nutshell, I don't know if the county attorney's office has ever really considered mobile adult-use establishments because, frankly, I've never considered anything like that," said Hagan, a Bucs season ticket holder. "I'm trying to be proactive to prevent this type of activity from taking place in unincorporated areas."

Undercover Tampa police officers raided a motor home parked off Himes Avenue across from the stadium shortly before the 1 p.m. kickoff of Sunday's Bucs game. Inside, they said, they found six women performing lap dances for men who had paid a $20 cover charge. Patrons paid an extra $20 to $40 apiece for performances.

The women were charged with being nude in a place where alcohol is served and being nude in a commercial establishment. Two of them were also accused of having oral sex with each other as part of the show and were charged with one count each of performing an unnatural and lascivious act.

Police also charged three men with selling alcohol without a license and conspiring to violate state beverage laws. One of the men, who police say is the owner of the vehicle, was charged with renting the space for lewdness. A fourth man, a customer, was charged with marijuana possession.

Police said the motor home was leased to the Adamo Drive strip club Deja Vu, whose attorney said it was being used to generate business for the club.

[Last modified December 1, 2005, 01:07:16]