No clothes, no cash
Remember when Easley said of
his wife, Mary, that if she were any more extroverted, "she'd be
a stripper"? Well, someone out there seems to have taken the description
a little too literally.
According to Easley's campaign finance reports, he has accepted contributions
this year from three businessmen with ties to topless bars in North Carolina.
He received $2,777.77 from Jerry Golding, owner and president
of Dockside Dolls. He received $4,000 from Jerry Reid, who runs topless
clubs under the name Pure Gold. Jerry Reid Jr., Reid's son, also gave
$4,000.
Easley campaign manager Jay Reiff said he was unaware of the contributions
until a reporter asked about them Friday. He said the money would be returned
to the donors
GRAHAM, N.C. (AP) - A judge says an Alamance County topless dance club can remain open for business, but it must comply with a temporary restraining order. The restraining order prohibits Dockside Dolls from allowing criminal activity on the premises or arrangements for prostitution at other locations. Club owner and President Jerry W. Golding also cannot sell or give away the property. Superior Court Judge Ronald Stephens says the order will remain in effect until a jury decides whether the club is a public nuisance. The trial has not been scheduled. County Attorney David Smith filed a nuisance abatement lawsuit against the club September third after a yearlong undercover investigation. He argues that prostitution and illegal drugs were prevalent and confirmed by sworn statements. Dockside Dolls' attorney J. Michael Murray of Cleveland said isolated incidents of bad behavior are likely at any business, and that the club has taken steps to prevent illegal activity.
Last updated: January 29. 2005 8:07PM
Alamance strip club accused of violating court order
The Associated Press
Topless dancers at a club just off Interstate 40 violated a judge's restraining
order and continue to solicit prostitution, Alamance County's attorney
and sheriff alleged in a complaint.
In October, Superior Court Judge Ronald Stephens allowed Dockside Dolls
to stay in business until a jury decided whether the club was a public
nuisance. His temporary restraining order prohibited the club from allowing
criminal activity on the premises or arrangements for prostitution at
other locations.
A trial in the county's civil lawsuit is scheduled for March to determine
whether the adult club is a public nuisance and must close.
In a court motion filed Thursday, the county officials contend Dockside
Dolls and owner Jerry W. Golding violated the judge's order by allowing
dancers to solicit prostitution.
The motion included an affidavit by an undercover Gibsonville police officer,
who said dancers went too far during his visits on Nov. 13. Dec. 11 and
Jan. 7. R.C. Emery's visits were at the request of Alamance Sheriff Terry
Johnson.
Emery said one dancer gave him a phone number and asked him to call her
if he wanted to meet outside the club.
The club's lawyers said the business is not a nuisance and that managers
do not condone breaking the law. Golding could not be reached for comment.
A new court date on Feb. 14 will determine whether the club and its owner
violated the judge's previous order. If the judge finds him in contempt
of court, Dockside Dolls could be closed in February, Johnson said.
The strip club, which advertises itself on highway billboards as a "gentleman's
club for the millennium," has been in business for more than a decade.
---
Information from: Times-News,
GOOD
WOMAN KILLED BY STRIPPERS
Martha Tattersall of Whispering Pines, NC was the innocent
victim of a chain-wielding, motor-reving fight between two strippers from
Pure Gold. Ms. Tattersall was killed in the Wilmington Wal-Mart parking
lot. Pure Gold, owners of Dockside Dolls,and Crazy Horse, has recently
been the focus of criminal investigations regarding prostitution and drug
activity at one of their clubs as well as attempts at financing Gov.
Easley's campaign.read the Tattersall
obituary here
Manslaughter charges filed
A woman charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with a fatal
accident in the Wal-Mart parking lot over the weekend appeared Thursday
in New Hanover County District Court.
Aaron Kelly Shelton, 20, is held on $15,000 bond at the New Hanover County
jail, authorities said. Amanda Marie Phelps, who’s also charged
with involuntary manslaughter, is held on $10,000 bond.
Police said Ms. Shelton and Ms. Phelps had been fighting in the parking
lot of the Wal-Mart on Sigmon Road before Ms. Phelps drove off. As she
was leaving the parking lot, she struck Martha Tattersall. Ms. Tattersall
died Monday of injuries suffered in the accident.
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