Embattled brothel loses liquor, boarding house licenses

Thursday, June 11, 1998 | 10:10 a.m.

A week after yanking its brothel license, the commission voted on Wednesday to pull the bordello's liquor and boarding house licenses.

Sheriff Bob Del Carlo said that while the brothel is shut down, prostitutes still are living there and the bar still is open. He said that poses a threat to public health and safety.

The commission closed the brothel June 2 because it caters to members of the Hells Angels motorcycle club, whom they say have criminal connections.

The brothel earlier filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization.

Brothel manager David Burgess did not appear at Wednesday's meeting, but has been ordered to show up next Tuesday for a hearing to demonstrate why the licenses should not be revoked.

His sister-in-law, Farrah Mello, attended the commission session and rejected Del Carlo's claim that Melvin Chancey, president of the Chicago chapter of Hells Angels, had ever been to the brothel.

Storey County sheriff's Cpl. Bill Leary replied, "If it wasn't him, he has a brother."

The commission moved to revoke Burgess' brothel license last week after he said he wanted to join Hells Angels and become president of its first Nevada chapter.

Del Carlo has had a running feud with the motorcycle group since his election as sheriff in 1970 when he banned them from riding their motorcycles down Virginia City's main drag, calling them dangerous and a nuisance to the county.