Las Vegas’ Crazy Horse Too Reopens

The recently closed Crazy Horse Too strip club was back in business Thursday when it reopened under new management.

The Las Vegas City Council earlier that day, granted a temporary liquor license for the club to Mike Signorelli, owner of the Golden Steer Steakhouse. Club owner Rick Rizzolo and the 16 employees who pleaded guilty to federal charges in August are banned from the property as part of the agreement, the Review-Journal reported today.

Under a deal reached with Rizzolo, Signorelli will pay the former club mogul $400,000 per month with an option to purchase the club for $45 million.

But strip club foe Peter “Chris” Christoff, who recently opened a church just down the street from the club in a strip mall, said he may sue the city, claiming the club would be in violation of city law barring adult establishments from being too close to churches, parks and other public facilities.

City Attorney Brad Jerbic, however, told the council not to consider the new church in making its decision about granting a new liquor license to Signorelli.

Under a federal plea deal, Rizzolo was ordered to pay $10 million to Kirk Henry, a Kansas City tourist who was paralyzed from the chest down in September 2001 after he was attacked outside the club during an argument over an $80 bill.

Another condition of the plea deal was that Rizzolo sell the club.

After Rizzolo’s plea deal, the city fined him $2.2 million and moved to suspend his liquor license despite urgings by Henry’s wife and their attorney, Don Campbell, not to do so, saying it would affect Rizzolo’s ability to pay the judgment.

Rizzolo’s fine was later reduced to $1 million by a judge.

The club closed a short time later.

The temporary liquor license lasts for three months, with an extension for up to an additional six months, if granted by the council, officials said. After a thorough background check by Las Vegas Police, Signorelli may be issued a permanent license.