Judge denies motion to dismiss in strip club fight

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The battle between Harris County and the Houston strip club Treasures continues today. Closing arguments are underway in a civil trial that could result in the club being temporarily shut down.

Attorneys for the city and county say they've proven Treasures is a public nuisance, insisting the management has allowed drugs and prostitution to exist in the club for years. The suit even claims Treasures allows human trafficking.

One plaintiff's attorney argued, "We have shown ample evidence, your honor, that this is what happens when you go into Treasures. We've shown convictions for prostitution of dancers at Treasures."

They presented evidence of 41 arrests and nine convictions over nearly a four-year period.

That attorney went on to say, "Both arrests and convictions are evidence of knowing toleration of criminal activity."

Treasures argues that it has taken steps to curb crime, maintaining, they say, a zero-tolerance policy for illegal activity. They presented evidence that managers consistently patrol the club looking for sex or drugs. They also make dancers sign forms, saying they know they'll be fired for prostitution or drugs.

Tonya Garrison, attorney for Treasures, said, "They haven't told us what they want. Do they want the VIP rooms closed? Do they want the lights turned on? You could give an order to the judge that they need to have two guys dressed up like chickens with signs that say 'No Prostitutes.' That would be unreasonable."

The judge will decide whether to close Treasures temporarily while the case works its way toward trial. It could be a temporary closure, according to legal documents, of up to one year.

Stay with Eyewitness News and abc13.com for the latest on this story.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Judge denies motion for contempt of court HPD chief

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland will not be held in contempt of court for comments he made about the trial involving a former officer accused of beating a teenage burglar.

Chief McClelland made comments to the media following his testimony on Tuesday that Andrew Blomberg should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law for his alleged role in the beating of Chad Holley.

The defense claimed those comments will make it difficult for Blomberg to get a fair trial. But as court reconvened this morning, the judge denied the motion.

Blomberg took the stand, telling jurors he didn't mistreat Holley, a burglary suspect who was 15 years old during a 2010 arrest that was caught on security video.

Blomberg testified that he never kicked the teenager's head or neck but used his foot only to secure the boy's arm.

Blomberg is charged with official oppression, a misdemeanor. He faces up to a year in jail if convicted.

The 29-year-old is the first of four fired police officers to stand trial for their roles in the alleged beating of Chad Holley.

In security camera footage of the March 2010 arrest, Holley, who is black, can be seen on the ground as officers appear to kick and hit his head, abdomen and legs.

We'll have more on this story this afternoon on ABC13 Eyewitness News.

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State Rep. Reynolds denies barratry allegations

State Rep. Ronald Reynolds is denying charges he tried to illegally approach potential clients

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- State Rep. Ronald Reynolds is denying charges he tried to illegally approach potential clients.

The Missouri City lawyer was in court earlier Monday to face barratry charges. According to court documents, an attorney filed a complaint saying she received a call after a car accident recommending she go to a southwest Houston chiropractic office. Once there, prosecutors say the woman was asked to sign an attorney-client contract that was allegedly traced to Reynolds.

"The district attorney's office has charged me with barratry and that is simply not the case. I never contacted nor attempted to solicit the individual who is the subject of these allegations," Reynolds said.

Two others are also charged iin the case. Adriene Anderson is accused of making the initial call, and Dr. Tony Ha is the chiropractor accused of sending the patient information to Reynolds.

Read Adriene Anderson's statement about the allegations

Read Dr. Tony Ha's statement about the allegations

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Judge denies bond for accused pimp

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Not your typical day at the criminal courthouse -- a group of exotic dancers came to the defense of an accused pimp named "Jello." The man was wanted in Denver, and arrested here in Houston.

A judge denied bond and ordered Germaine Wallace, also known as Jello, to be returned to Colorado. Wallace's attorney says he's going to appeal. The four exotic dancers who've been speaking out on his behalf are as determined as ever to clear his name.

Germaine "Jello" Wallace was supposed to appear in a Colorado courtroom back in February to face a long list of criminal charges, including pimping. Last week, the 38-year-old alleged pimp, who's accused of running a high-price prostitution ring in Denver, was arrested by US marshals in Houston and is now fighting extradition.

Wallace's friend Carrie Laughead testified, "Germaine is not doing anything wrong and they are corrupt in Colorado."

Four exotic dancers who were found with Wallace and lived with him in a Colorado mansion before he skipped town are now coming to his defense.

Amber Wilson testified, "We are longtime friends."

Three of the women who testified insisted they're not prostitutes and told the court Wallace is innocent and accused Colorado authorities of racial profiling.

"Basically because he's a black man hanging out with four white girls he's a pimp," Laughead testified. "I had never seen that before or heard anything like that before until I went to Colorado."

They told the court that Wallace breeds animals for a living. Wallace's attorney says there is no evidence to support claims that his client came to Houston to set up a prostitution ring similar to the one he allegedly ran in Colorado.

"It's just mere allegations to smear these girls and Mr. Wallace while they are here seeking sanctuary from Denver, Colorado," said attorney Wilvin Carter.

Wallace will remain at the Harris County Jail. The whole appeals process could take up to 45 days.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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