Maryland- The lawyer for a Stafford County adult shop told a judge yesterday that her clients could lose a considerable amount of money because of “fraudulent conduct” by their landlord.

Rachel Goldstein, who represents the owners of Pheromoans, asked that the shop’s monthly rent checks be deposited in an escrow account. That way, she said, if the shop owners win a judgment against their landlord, 70 Doc Stone LLC, they’ll be sure to collect damages.

Stafford Circuit Judge H. Harrison Braxton Jr. denied the request.

The owner of the North Stafford strip mall sued Pheromoans, a tenant, in December, claiming the shop’s sex-oriented business violated its lease.

Pheromoans counter-sued in January, insisting that 70 Doc Stone knew exactly what kind of business Pheromoans would be and failed to disclose any restrictions on the property ahead of time.

If Pheromoans has to move, its owners will lose all the money they invested in renovating the property and opening the business, Goldstein said.

“Seventy Doc Stone was aware of these restrictions and leased it to my client and intentionally withheld that information so it could get a tenant paying rent,” she said.

J. Joseph Cooleen, attorney for 70 Doc Stone, said his client thought the shop would be a lingerie boutique, rather than a place that sells sex toys and videos.

Separately, Pheromoans is being sued by Rappahannock Goodwill Industries, which owns property near the shop. Goodwill officials worry that the sex shop will discourage customers from visiting their store.