From www.lvrj.com- The great Las Vegas topless/taxi war is about to escalate on multiple fronts.

Strip clubs have been doling out up to $100 per person to limo and cabdrivers, who in turn have been compelled to kick back some of that money to resort doormen in an arrangement that’s costing the cabarets millions each month.

Lately some issues are being raised that could haunt the licensed gaming companies at a time they can least afford such headaches.

Attorney Al Marquis represents a hastily assembled collection of local business owners and citizens calling themselves Fairness in Transportation. In a letter being sent to Las Vegas casino presidents, Marquis raises the issues of ethics and fairness at the resorts’ front doors. The seasoned lawyer also notes there’s documentation showing women seeking cab and limo rides are being discriminated against in favor of men, who are being offered free rides to the topless clubs.

“We really want to put a stop to the practice of strip clubs, or any business for that matter, paying for the delivery of passengers,” Marquis said. “We want to put an end to doormen pulling people out of taxi lines and putting them ahead of other customers. All of those things are bad for business in Las Vegas, and we want to put a stop to all of it.”

The Marquis group has set up a Web site called wedontdobusinessthatway.com, and the lawyer makes no secret that with the Legislature in session there’s the real potential to change the law.

“I think this can be addressed with legislation that can be enforced,” he said. “We need a law that prohibits this activity. This practice is bad for everyone in Las Vegas except for a few cab and limo drivers.”

Perhaps it’s Tax Day paranoia, but what’s this I hear about the IRS showing interest in some of the key players in the topless/taxi underground payoff system?