LANSING, mich. — Centerfolds Cabaret, a Lansing strip club, is challenging the city in federal court after its cabaret license was revoked earlier this year, effectively forcing its closure. The lawsuit alleges that the city failed to provide adequate notification of a crucial hearing, hindering the club’s ability to defend itself against accusations that led to the license revocation.

The Core of the Complaint: Due Process

The legal action centers on a March 25 city hearing where Lansing police and city staff presented a series of alleged offenses. These allegations, according to the lawsuit, formed the basis for the City Council’s decision on April 7 to revoke Centerfolds’ cabaret license. Augustine Igwe, the Novi-based attorney representing Centerfolds, argues that the club’s owners were not properly notified of the hearing.

Igwe stated in the April 17 complaint:

Had Plaintiff being served with process and represented at the hearing, it could have refuted the allegations leveled at the hearing.

Augustine Igwe, Attorney for CDDM corporation

The complaint demands the restoration of the cabaret license, unspecified damages, and a jury trial.

Background: A History of Incidents

The push to revoke Centerfolds’ license intensified after a fatal shooting outside the establishment on Feb. 16. Christopher bonilla Sr., 45, of Lansing, died following an argument at the club. City Council President Ryan kost cited this incident, along with two prior homicides at the same location as 2006, as justification for the revocation.

kost expressed confidence in the city’s legal position, stating Friday:

I am confident that our city attorney will be able to show that the evidence was all done properly.

Ryan Kost, Lansing City Council President

Rawley Van Fossen, the city’s economic development director, informed council members that the club’s absence from the March hearing was interpreted as a lack of contestation of the allegations.

Legal Entities and Key figures

Court records identify CDDM Corporation as the plaintiff in the lawsuit. Freddy Giordiano held the cabaret license, and Harry Kief of Northville is listed as the resident agent for CDDM.

City’s Perspective: Failure to Maintain a Safe Habitat

Van Fossen, acting as the hearing officer in March, concluded that Centerfolds had not taken adequate measures to prevent violence and illegal activities. The City Council subsequently voted to recommend that the Michigan liquor Control Commission revoke the club’s liquor license, though the cabaret license revocation alone was sufficient to close the business, according to Igwe.

Van Fossen’s assessment, as presented to the City Council, included the following:

Based on the findings presented in the hearing, I believe there is substantial evidence demonstrating a pattern of violent incidents, legal violations and ongoing security concerns at the licensed premises. The establishment has been the site of at least three documented homicides. Additional incidents and violations have been reported that are indictive “[sic”] of fights/brawls and other disorderly conduct. additionally, law enforcement reviewed video surveillance evidence showing multiple overt sexual acts occurring on the premises.

Rawley Van Fossen, lansing Economic Development Director

Despite repeated incidents of disorderly conduct, the business has failed to take corrective actions such as enhanced security screenings, hiring additional security personnel or enforcing stricter entry policies. The business also failed to appear at the hearing to provide a defense or rebuttal against the allegations, further suggesting noncompliance and disregard for legal obligations. These events demonstrate a continued failure by CDDM Corporation to maintain a safe environment for patrons and staff.

Rawley Van Fossen, Lansing Economic Development Director

Allegations of Discrimination

Igwe contends that the enforcement actions against Centerfolds are discriminatory, alleging that the club’s clientele is being unfairly targeted.He stated:

The only difference between this club and others in the city is the race and ethnic nature of the patrons.

Augustine Igwe, Attorney for CDDM Corporation

igwe anticipates a hearing date will be set soon to consider an injunction that would allow the license to be restored and permit the owners to address the city’s concerns.

City’s Response and Notification Dispute

While City Hall was closed for Good Friday, Scott Bean, a spokesperson for the mayor’s office, indicated that the city had not yet been formally served with the lawsuit. However, City Attorney Greg Venker and assistant city attorneys informed the City Council on April 7 that they had sent two certified letters to the club’s owners and received delivery verification prior to the March meeting.

The lawsuit claims that the notifications were not delivered within the required timeframes—five days before the March 25 hearing for the cabaret license and 10 days before for the liquor license—with one notice arriving after the hearing. The club’s legal representation reportedly received notification two days after the March hearing, according to court filings.

The lawsuit includes mail receipts, one indicating receipt on March 13 and another lacking a date next to the recipient’s signature.

Past Ownership and Police Assistance

The club owners further argue that the city is unfairly penalizing them based on incidents that occurred under previous ownership, noting that ownership changed around 2011. They also claim that the city is using calls for police assistance made by the club’s management “as a penalty against” the club.