Store owner sues city over loss of license

Diana Sahagun

Thursday, June 28, 2001 | 10:23 a.m.

The owner of a convenience store whose application for a new liquor and gaming license was denied is suing the city of Las Vegas and the City Council.

The council on May 17 denied Jamil Nessan's request for a new liquor and gaming license for a store on Martin Luther King Boulevard after the city's Business Licensing Department found what officials believed to be drug paraphernalia. Officials said they returned to the store two weeks later, before the council meeting, and found that Nessan had removed the items.

Nessan, who filed the lawsuit in District Court Monday, is asking a judge to overturn the council's decision.

The lawsuit is the first that directly relates to decisions and proposed ordinances by Las Vegas officials in their attempt to rid the city of items used in drug activities. Items include cut-up scouring pads, single cigarettes and novelty glass vials used to smoke crack cocaine.

Although the items are sold in stores throughout the Las Vegas Valley, the problem is more prevalent in West Las Vegas, Councilman Lawrence Weekly said.

The council voted to deny the permits to store owners who sell these items to send the message that this practice no longer will be tolerated. Mayor Oscar Goodman and Councilman Larry Brown voted against denying permits, saying the city must warn all store owners that the items can no longer be sold before action is taken to revoke permits.

The council has sent a letter to convenience store owners across the valley which informs them to stop selling the items or face revocation of their liquor license.

The council has also proposed an ordinance that would mirror state law, making it a misdemeanor to sell the items because they are known to be used for drug activities.