License revoked for Nevada brothel frequented by Hell’s Angels

Wednesday, June 3, 1998 | 9:07 a.m.

The Storey County licensing commission voted 3-1 on Tuesday to yank David Burgess' license for the Old Bridge Ranch just down the road from the infamous Mustang Ranch near Lockwood 10 miles east of Reno.

"The operation of brothels has to be squeaky clean," Commission Chairman Chuck Haynes said.

Lockwood neighbors said during a crowded public hearing before the vote Tuesday they've been harassed by Hell's Angels members who frequent the legal brothel.

But Gabrielle Beebe, a prostitute at the ranch, said she hadn't noticed any special problems with the motorcycle club members.

"To do our jobs, we need a safe, controlled situation and that's what we have," Beebe said. "This is knee-jerk, panic hysteria."

Prostitution is illegal in Reno and Las Vegas, but is legal under state law in certain rural Nevada counties.

Storey County Sheriff Bob Del Carlo told the commission law enforcement intelligence officers found a link between organized crime and some top Hell's Angels members who have visited the ranch.

Burgess, who has held the license since 1984, had no immediate response. But his lawyer, Rod Carucci, said he intends to appeal the revocation in district court.

"This is an outrageous violation of my client's constitutional rights," Carucci said.

Burgess filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to stop an IRS seizure process to collect about $1 million in back taxes.

The nephew of former Mustang Ranch owner Joe Conforte, Burgess said he was not a member of the Hell's Angels but he planned to form a new chapter.

Del Carlo said several members of the Reno Renegades motorcycle club headed by Burgess have been wearing a patch on their jackets showing they are candidates to become Hell's Angels. A bulletin board inside the Old Bridge is covered with the patches of various Hell's Angels chapters.

It was the first time in the 35-year history of the licensing commission that an active license has been revoked.

"We can't afford to have the Hell's Angels out here, that's what it boils down to," Commissioner Carl Trink said recently.

"The county's brothels are legitimate businesses that account for 17 percent of our total budget... . We don't want to see the entire industry penalized for the Old Bridge."