The forecast calls for seven very dry days at the Paper Moon’s city location at 3300 Norfolk St.
This apparently isolated weather pattern results from a stalled system of undercover enforcement officers from the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control that descended on the gentlemen’s club between February and March.
The officers’ visits revealed various license violations, with officers observing, among many discoveries of the eye-opening kind, a dancer “simulate giving oral sex to [another] female dancer.”
In scintillating testimony to the ABC’s administrative board, investigators also reported observing a dancer “simulate sexual intercourse by thrusting herself back and forth against the male patron’s crotch.”
A report of the investigator’s opinion given at the hearing says “the participants appeared to be in a ‘festive’ mood during this activity.”
Section 18.2-361 of the Code of Virginia “prohibits carnal knowledge by mouth at least in public.” Other code sections prohibit various other acts witnessed during the investigation. Because alcohol is served at the Paper Moon, enforcement and punishment of the violations fall under ABC’s jurisdiction.
No criminal charges against dancers or club managers were filed as a result of the investigation. Club owners and managers did not return calls by press time, but an attorney representing the club, Michael P. Lafayette, said it was an incident the club would prefer not to further address.
The brief dry spell at the beer tap — accompanied by a $7,000 fine — could have been much worse, according to ABC Board spokeswoman Beth Straeten. She confirms that an ABC administrative hearing initially imposed a 45-day liquor license suspension that could have been reduced to 30 days with a $1,000 payment. Eventually the fine was increased and the suspension time was reduced.
Investigations like this one typically are conducted only after the ABC receives complaints, Straeten says: “Sometimes you get calls from concerned citizens.”
Luckily, the seven-day suspension should be behind the club before the holiday rush arrives Christmas Day. A garland-adorned notice on the club’s Web site reads, “We are staying open for you so when the presents are done [sic] come see our famous entertainers.” S