LA City Attorney Targets Hollywood Club With 40 Criminal Charges, Including After Hours Alcohol Service | Eater LA

"This Hollywood nightclub has been hit with 40 criminal charges following a ten-month multi-agency investigation by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, LA Department of Building and Safety, LA Planning Department and LAPD. Authorities allege after-hours alcohol sales, over-serving visibly intoxicated customers and inadequate security, and trace the focus to a New Year’s Day 2018 shooting in which a patron was shot in the leg in front of the club; officers say they found the venue still serving alcohol well past the mandated 2 a.m. last call. Other incidents cited include an October 25 discovery of an underage patron leaving with an unregistered firearm, three reported alcohol-induced sexual assaults between May and October (one victim was 20 at the time), multiple permit and criminal violations found during seven official visits in 2018, and a rash of reported crime—including thefts, armed robberies, assaults and a 20-person brawl that ended with a shooting on October 2, 2018. Regulators warned owners repeatedly to add more security guards, lock unguarded doors and stop serving intoxicated patrons. In response, the club’s representative said Playhouse has been open since 2009, employs over 25 security guards and provides a safe environment; the statement claims the issues began after LAPD demanded the club stop playing Hip Hop and Latin music, contends many incidents occurred outside the facility in parking lots not controlled by the club, says the December 28 filings were driven by statute of limitations rather than safety concerns, and alleges the club is being targeted and potentially racially profiled." - Mona Holmes