Foxy Lady to remain closed, after Supreme Court denies club’s appeal

December 21, 2018 6:38 pm

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Foxy Lady will stay closed, despite the club’s best efforts to reopen. This all began last week when three workers at the club were arrested for prostitution.

The Foxy Lady’s appeal of a shutdown order by the Providence Board of Licenses was dead on arrival at the State Supreme Court Friday morning. A justice denied the strip club’s request to temporarily reinstate its entertainment license.

Friday afternoon, the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation delayed a decision on whether to give Foxy Lady back its liquor license.

“It’s going to be extremely difficult to quantify the harm that we suffer every day that we’re closed,” said Fausto Anguilla, an attorney for Foxy Lady.

Anguilla claims the Providence Board of Licenses exceeded its authority in shutting the club down, based on insufficient evidence of prostitution. But lawyers for the city say that’s a moot point.

“Whether or not the city can prove solicitation in a criminal case, that is not the standard here. That is not the standard on appeal. We’re not considering evidence beyond a reasonable doubt,” said Louis DeSimone.

But the club’s lawyers argue other clubs have been punished less harshly for more serious crimes.

“Here what we have is allegations, and I underscore allegations, of three solicitations, three misdemeanors,” said Anguilla.

Workers at the Foxy Lady say as along as the club is closed, they’re struggling to make ends meet.

“I have confidence that things will be okay, once it’s all out and said and heard. But that’s a ways away, and I don’t know, myself and other people, what we’re going to do until then,” said Tammy Krewell when we spoke to her on Thursday.

It’s unclear when the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation will make a decision about the Foxy Lady’s liquor license. As for the entertainment license, the full Supreme Court will again take up the matter on January 3rd. At that point they may reconsider whether to reinstate it.