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So far, state prosecutors: 2; strippers: 5

Exotic dancers' arrests during police raids aren't leading to much more.

By JAMAL THALJI
Published January 28, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - Since 2001 the Pasco County Sheriff's Office has swooped down on strip clubs up and down U.S. 19 in five mass raids. Dozens of scantily-clad exotic dancers were arrested on charges such as prostitution, exposure and lewdness.

So what is the result of all the time, manpower and money - the last raid cost $4,000 alone - spent investigating Pasco's strip clubs?

It's a mixed bag.

Many exotic dancers took plea deals on lesser charges, several saw the charges dropped altogether and a handful are taking their chances in front of a jury.

And most of them are winning.

Take last week as an example. Four exotic dancers were set to go to trial. Only one was convicted. Another had the charges against her dropped and two more were found not guilty. Overall, the state is 2-5 in stripper trials.

The cycle isn't likely to stop. More dancers want their day in court. More clubs are giving them top-flight representation to keep up the fight - and they might have to.

"We serve the community, and if the community is telling us there is illegal activity going on we are going to investigate it," said Pasco sheriff's Lt. Robert Sullivan, the vice commander. "We have not done one of these raids yet that was not driven by public complaints."

That's not how the adult establishments see it.

"Several of the clubs have the position that the arrests are basically harassment," said defense attorney Brandon Kolb.

Unlike Pinellas or Hillsborough, Pasco has no county ordinance regulating lap dances - literally, a private dance between the customer's legs.

But exotic dancers violate state law, authorities say, when they engage in sex acts with themselves, other dancers or patrons.

For example, two dancers on trial last week were accused of rubbing their knees against deputies' crotches during lap dances. They were acquitted of charges of committing a lewd act.

So what is the result of the arrest and prosecution of these dancers? The authorities say they aren't keeping score.

The attorneys who represent the majority of the dancers, Kolb and famed adult entertainment defender Luke Lirot, have their own scorecard. Of their 80 cases, 54 have been resolved:

- 28 have agreed to plea bargains on lesser charges, mostly disorderly conduct.

- 14 dancers had the charges dismissed.

- Five entered a pre-trial intervention program. The charges will be dropped if they complete a regimen that can include counseling, restitution and community service.

- Seven went to trial. Five have been found not guilty.

One dancer was found guilty in a June bench trial of a misdemeanor charge of committing a lewd act. But the judge withheld a formal finding of guilt, so it doesn't count as a conviction.

A jury found another dancer guilty of the same charge on Tuesday. She was adjudicated guilty, giving the state its first conviction.

Her sentence: $170 in court costs.

No dancer has done jail time because of the raids, Kolb said, although some have gone to jail for missing court dates.

So what is Pasco County paying for those results?

The Sheriff's Office said the estimated $4,000 spent on the last raid Feb. 2 paid for 45 officers over four hours. Additionally, undercover deputies spent $251 on cover charges, drinks and lap dances.

There have been five raids in six years. They are some of the largest operations the Sheriff's Office runs, spokesman Kevin Doll said. But the agency believes they're worth it.

"I think our citizens want us to continue these types of operations just so any criminal element that does manifest itself in these clubs knows that we are out there watching," Doll said. "That deterrent, I think, is invaluable."

Sullivan hinted it may be time for another deterrent.

"The activity in those clubs," the lieutenant said, "is as bad now as it's ever been."

Jamal Thalji can be reached at thalji@sptimes.com or 727 869-6236.

[Last modified January 28, 2007, 07:27:55]