Press
Release
Club owner sues;
claims defamation
Cites 'ugly' charges by commissioner
By Jody Callahan, Alex Doniach,
Commercial Appeal
September 7, 2007
Citing defamation, Memphis topless-club owner Jerry Westlund filed a lawsuit
Thursday against Shelby County Commissioner Mike Ritz.
Westlund said he and three of his female employees filed the lawsuit because
of what he called "an outrageously ugly accusation" Ritz made back in May.
In discussing topless dancers, Ritz -- a noted opponent of adult clubs --
told The Commercial Appeal, "Almost without exception, these girls were
sexually abused by a family member ... and have an addiction to drugs or
alcohol. These clubs feed on that. It's a vicious cycle."
The lawsuit, which doesn't specify any damages sought, also includes Amanda
Steele, Yolanda Spinks and Shonda Jones as plaintiffs. No court date has
been set yet, attorney Edward Bearman said.
"This lawsuit is about an embarrassing county commissioner," Westlund said.
"I'm not going to let him attack or victimize the entertainers, bartenders
and waitresses that work for me."
Ritz said he's not surprised by the lawsuit since he's been more outspoken
on this issue than other commissioners.
"I've been expecting them to try to intimidate me a little bit," he said.
"This is kind of what you'd expect from this business."
County Atty. Brian Kuhn questions whether the lawsuit is viable, saying
legislative immunity protects lawmakers from such suits.
Kuhn, who had not yet reviewed the case, said legislative immunity is
intended to enable lawmakers to carry out their duties and debate openly
without fear of litigation.
Westlund, however, said the suit targets comments Ritz made outside the
commission.
"He proceeded to report it in public forums. He did not say this as part of
any legislative delegation or commission forum," he said. "Frankly, an
apology would be an exceptional start to this."
Ritz said he suspects the lawsuit was timed to coincide with the third and
final reading of the commission's ordinance on sexually oriented business
slated for Monday.
That ordinance would put restrictions on cabarets, sexually themed
bookstores, movie theaters, escort services and massage parlors by banning
alcohol and requiring all employees to undergo background checks, among
other requirements.
Ritz added that Westlund and other business owners haven't appeared at any
public meetings. "I don't know where they've been but this is not unexpected
at all," Ritz said.
