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Judge rules against Rizzolo

Imprisoned strip club owner ordered to put $1 million in escrow

A District Court judge on Tuesday ordered Crazy Horse Too owner Rick Rizzolo to stow away $1 million pending the outcome of a lawsuit filed by longtime Rizzolo nemesis and neighboring business owner, James "Buffalo Jim" Barrier.

"Have $1 million retained in escrow pending the resolution of this case," Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez ordered, upholding an earlier order that was challenged by Rizzolo's attorney Mark Hafer.

Rizzolo was not present. The former topless bar mogul is in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to evade taxes in 2007. In January, Rizzolo was sentenced to one year and one day in prison.

Rizzolo must sell his Industrial Road club by Sept. 30. But that is not the only obstacle he faces.


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  • Barrier, a mechanic who operates an auto repair shop adjacent to the Crazy Horse Too, filed a $1 million harassment lawsuit against Rizzolo in 2002.

    Barrier's attorney, Gus Flangas, argued that Rizzolo owes millions of dollars in connection with his legal troubles with the federal government. He must pay at least $17 million in fines, forfeitures and civil settlements. Flangas raised concerns that if Barrier succeeds at trial, he might not receive the $1 million settlement he seek.

    Flangas said Rizzolo might hide whatever assets are left from the sale of the topless club.

    "He has transferred them in marriages. He has transferred them to other people," Flangas said. "The FBI had a hard time finding his assets. How am I supposed to find the assets?"

    In Barrier's lawsuit, he claims he saw plans that showed an expansion of Rizzolo's club. In the plans, Barrier said, the club had swallowed his small auto shop, Allstate Auto and Marine.

    "I had a set of plans brought over to me by a construction company that shows me going out of business," Barrier said.

    Barrier said Rizzolo and his managers constantly harassed him by towing cars awaiting repair in Barrier's parking lot. He claimed Rizzolo created a fake fire zone next to the shop so that Barrier could not park his customers' cars in the parking spaces.

    Barrier took the stand Tuesday and said his employees had to drive vehicles to another parking area down the street and then bring them back to the shop in the morning.

    "I was afraid to leave anything at my lot because of vandalism or them towing cars away," Barrier explained. "It was like being under siege."

    Barrier explained that the ongoing battle has caused him to suffer chest pains and high blood pressure. He said the ordeal broke up his family; some members moved to Washington and Colorado.

    Ralph Rizzolo, who served as a property manager for his brother, testified Tuesday that neither he nor the other managers harassed Barrier. He said cars were towed when they were improperly parked or when more than seven vehicles, the limit established by the court, remained in the lot overnight.

    The case is expected to go to trial in 2008, after Rizzolo is released from prison.



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    Makmood Abbas wrote on August 24, 2007 10:21 AM: I praise Allah(PBUH) daily for Steve Miller


    boobalafoo wrote on August 24, 2007 10:20 AM: burma shave


    JGolden wrote on August 24, 2007 10:14 AM: All residents of Clark County...acutually all Americans should be grateful that there is a Steve Miller to shine the bright light of decency upon the cockroaches of filth that pervade public life in Nevada.

    Miller has long fought the "good fight" at major personal expense to both himself and his family.

    Unlike other elected officials who before office live in hovels, and who after office reside in mansions, Miller continues to reside in the same house purchased by funds he earned himself.

    In a state where soooooooo many live off the misery of so many...I praise Allah PBUH daily for a true inspiration like Steve Miller!!!!!


    Mike Christ wrote on August 23, 2007 02:22 PM: The city may have "reluctantly" fined the Crazy Horse II BUT I don't think they deserve to collect the funds ahead of ANY other legitimate claim being made against the toilet. The Henry Family should get first dibs on ANY monies collected from the sale of the joint or the personal assets of Rick and Lisa Rizzolo. The second person who should receive monetary compensation is Buffalo Jim Barrier. Without him, this case would have never seen daylight. He has suffered monetary damages far in excess of the one million that probably has NOT been deposited in an escrow account as ordered by Judge Gonzales. Not only did he suffer monetary damages due to loss of business, his family collapsed before his eyes due to the harassment by Rizzolo and his hired thugs. I am a personal witness to that as I have been harassed by Rizzolo. his management thugs, and the club goons as well. One time needing to be assisted off the roof by the LVMPD. It was obvious to me that the LVMPD was in Rizzolo's pocket during this event. Or, I should say that the officer in charge was. The LVMPD as a whole is a first rate organization.
    Monies (IF collected) should be distributed to those persons who suffered DIRECT harm from Rizzolo and the Crazy Horse II. The city of Las Vegas, and Mafioso Wannabe Don Oscar Goodman, the alleged mayor, do not deserve to pocket a dime as they are the ones responsible for allowing the carnage to exist and continue ad nauseum. As for the vitrolic "Common Man" ...You have a serious condition. It is known as an "Anal/Cranial Inversion." I suggest you seek professional help as soon as possible.
    Miller....Keep up the good work!

    That is my opinion,

    Mike


    Bob Beers wrote on August 23, 2007 08:52 AM: Typo correction: that should be Judge Gonzalez.


    Bob Beers wrote on August 23, 2007 08:50 AM: Regarding Common Man's complaint. It is misplaced and considerably ill-informed. A newspaper's forum is exactly the place to voice opinions. There's a document called the US Constitution a few of us still adhere to, you might try reading it sometime. Rizzolo, like others who consider themselves above the law has found he is not. I applaud Mr. Miller's integrity and Judge Pro's honesty.


    Batista wrote on August 22, 2007 09:21 PM: Steve Miller should also be commended for leaving the Las Vegas Tribune. He was the only thoughtful and coherent writer on that paper, in my opinion. I believe the editor Rolando Larraz writes as sloppy as he thinks.

    I believe the Las Vegas Tribune Editor Rolando Larraz was convicted of a drug crime, and was also charged with writing a bad check. Whatever happened to that criminal case.

    Court records indicate that Las Vegas Tribune Editor Rolando Larraz has some upcoming criminal charges facing him. September 21, 2007 in Small claims court, case number 07A002661, with criminal defense attorney Kevin Kelly representing him, and a new felony arraignment before Judge Joe Bonaventure, Jr., on Nov. 15, 2007, in case number 04F00808X.

    No RJ stories on this? I remember reading in City Life when Cathy Scott wrote about Rolando Larraz bouncing a check, Rolando Larraz reportedly called Cathy Scott a bitch at the courthouse cafe.


    Golda wrote on August 22, 2007 09:16 PM: I agree with you FastTracker. I do not know, nor have I ever met Mr. Miller, but his tenacious columns exposing corruption deserve kudos. Michael McDonald should be next. In my opinion, when something does not pass the smell test (i.e. the McDonald's and Atkinson-Gates of the world living in mansions on county salaries) then the people involved must be investigated.


    faith wrote on August 22, 2007 02:27 PM: This is great. Finally, a judge that rules by the facts and not juice. This day should go down in history. It is a rare day that we see justice coming from the laundromat. Oops, I meant court house.

    Maybe, someone will look at the Fau/crazy horse case that has been closed for years and ask Nancy Saitta why it says "Jury Trial in Progress Access Denied" Maybe, Judge Saitta is trying to enter the case in the Guinness Book for longest jury trial. If Guinness pays Saitta could split the proceeds with Rizzolo to help pay for his restitution. I'm sure the RJ could get her to explain.


    FastTracker wrote on August 22, 2007 11:08 AM: Common man, who appointed you governor of this message board?

    Steve Miller has done more than anyone in this community to get rid of joints that operate the way CHII did under Rizzolo.

    He's entitled to express his opinions in this forum, every bit as much as you are.


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