Strip club owner says he'll sue if Nebraska Legislature passes bill

LINCOLN — The owner of four private strip clubs said Monday that there’s no need for the state to regulate his businesses. If state officials try, Shane Harrington said, he’ll go to court and win.

“I’m operating well within the constitution,” Harrington said. “Even if a law is passed, I’m not closing my clubs ... and I’m filing a lawsuit.”

He spoke after a 90-minute public hearing in which a state senator, the state liquor commission, the Omaha City Council and representatives of Catholic and children’s organizations called for a return to a time when private bottle clubs — which allow club members to bring in their own liquor — are required to obtain state liquor licenses, like bars and restaurants.

Most of those testifying in favor of Legislative Bill 747 said the proposal wasn’t about the totally nude dancing allowed at Harrington’s bottle clubs (including one near 72nd and Dodge Streets in Omaha), but about making such operations adhere to the same rules as places that sell alcohol.

Read more: http://www.omaha.com/news/legislature/strip-club-owner-says-he-ll-sue-if-nebraska-legislature/article_e508cca6-4762-5c6d-87a1-7ffbfa302cc2.html