Laying down the law?

Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009 | 2:06 a.m.

Problems at the nightclub Prive at Planet Hollywood gained the attention of the Nevada Gaming Control Board as well as the Clark County Commission. The club was accused of encouraging drug use and prostitution, as well as serving minors alcohol and dumping drunken patrons into the casino.

Planet Hollywood doesn’t own the club, but the Gaming Control Board fined the casino $500,000 because its officials didn’t do enough to stop the illicit and lewd behavior.

The county pulled the club’s liquor license last month and the club shut down — temporarily. On Tuesday the club asked for its license back with the support of county business licensing chief Jacqueline Holloway, who recommended a temporary 90-day license.

As columnist Jon Ralston reported in Wednesday’s Las Vegas Sun, commissioners were skeptical because of the serious problems at the club. Metro Police also expressed concern and wanted time to do a more thorough investigation.

Opium Group, which owns the club, pledged to have new management in place, but Barry Reinink of Metro’s special investigation unit said some of the “new” staff had been linked to the past bad behavior.

Commissioner Tom Collins suggested holding up the club’s request until Metro could finish an investigation. Commissioner Steve Sisolak wanted to put the request off for at least two weeks.

At the request of Jay Brown, the club’s influential attorney, the commission did neither. He argued that jobs were at stake and said the club would fire or suspend people that Metro found objectionable “if it will put people back to work.”

The commission bought it and gave Prive a 30-day temporary license.

This wasn’t a matter of saving jobs. It was a matter of sending a message that the law must be obeyed. Instead, commissioners let the club off with a slap on the wrist. That weak response will do little to prevent problems.