PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza said Thursday he wants the city’s Board of Licenses to revoke the Foxy Lady strip club’s adult entertainment license as a result of several prostitution-related arrests there this week.
Elorza said he believes management at the well-known Chalkstone Avenue establishment has allowed a “full-on prostitution ring” where “a certain amount goes to the house and a certain amount goes to the woman.”
“I understand these places exist in our city, but we’re not going to tolerate someone running a prostitution ring that allows for the exploitation and the assault of women,” Elorza said during a wide-ranging interview.
Elorza’s comments came before the licensing board voted 3-1 to keep the club closed until at least Monday, when another meeting is scheduled. Only Peter Mancini, the board’s newest member, said the club should be allowed to open.
Fausto Anguilla, an attorney representing the Foxy Lady, said the club should be allowed to reopen based on the immense scrutiny it will face following the arrests. He noted that the club has largely avoided trouble before this week.
“They were vigilant in the past,” he said. “They will be twice as vigilant now.”
The club was closed temporarily after Providence police arrested three women Tuesday evening for allegedly soliciting undercover officers for sexual acts. Providence Police Major David Lapatin said the investigation was launched after a female employee was sexually assaulted by a male patron.
Richard Angell, one of the club’s employees, said management was unaware of any alleged prostitution in the club.
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Dan McGowan (dmcgowan@wpri.com) covers politics, education and the city of Providence for WPRI.com. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter: @danmcgowan
