Other club owners say no harassment seen

Friday, Nov. 7, 2003 | 9:53 a.m.

The owner of the Spearmint Rhino -- a rival of Michael Galardi's Las Vegas strip clubs -- said Thursday night that he believes his club has always been treated fairly by the Clark County Commission.

"We are not aware of any harassment or extra scrutiny by the county or Metro (Police) or anybody," Kevin Kelly said after Thursday's indictments were handed up in the political corruption probe involving Galardi. "We haven't perceived any harassment from anyone."

Kelly said the club, on Highland Drive, is in the process of expanding from its current 10,000 square feet, adding 19,000 square feet in additional club and parking space.

Relations with the County Commission are "just excellent," Kelly said.

Three years ago the Spearmint Rhino was raided by Metro Police after allegations of illicit after-hours partying.

In December 2000 the Clark County Liquor and Gaming Board -- which is the commission acting as the board -- formally prohibited the club from hosting the parties. The club kept its liquor license.

"We were put on probation for a year," Kelly said.

Spearmint Rhino is part of an international corporation which franchises clubs around the world, Kelly said.

No one answered the phone Thursday night at Divas Las Vegas, another rival club.

A man answering the phone at Chez Moi, a third competitor named in the indictment, said the club had not experienced any harassment from county officials.

The indictment said that during a phone conversation between former County Commissioner Lance Malone, charged in the indictment, and Galardi on May 30, 2002, Malone told Galardi that a "matter" involving Chez Moi was held from the agenda. He went on to say that he would get Commission Chairwoman Mary Kincaid Chauncey, also charged in the indictment, to hold it again.

On Aug. 28, 2002, Galardi told Malone that they had to "get back on Mary" to pass a moratorium that would forbid additional strip clubs in the county, according to the indictment.

"That won't be a problem at all," Malone said, according to the indictment. "At least that's what she's telling us."

Local attorney Bill Curran, who said he has known Kincaid-Chauncey for 30 years, said he was shocked by the charges against her.

"I find it hard to believe she accepted money," Curran said. "Of any of them, that was the big shock."

The indictment said Kincaid-Chauncey received $4,000 from Malone on behalf of Galardi in June or July 2002 "toward defendant Kincaid-Chauncey's grandson's ski school tuition."