Mississippi- Jackson Mayor Frank Melton is waging a legal battle against another adult entertainment venue in the capital city.
The mayor and two detectives closed the Centerfolds strip club on S. West St. in downtown Jackson. The mayor says he witnessed numerous violations of city ordinances.
Early Sunday morning, the mayor was shocked when he entered Centerfolds and witnessed a nude dancer engaged in illicit activity.
"We went to three other clubs that night," said Mayor Frank. "I went into this one, and I was in a state of shock. I closed it on the spot."
About 100 people were inside the club. They recognized Melton and left quickly. The manager says the mayor approached him, cursed at him, and told him to leave.
"I'm not going to have that type of behavior in Jackson, period. I don't agree with those clubs and now they are there, violating city ordinances. I am just not going to have it," said Melton. Melton is in Richmond, VA, touring that city with dozens of business leaders from the Jackson area.
While at the club, the mayor met with all of the dancers in their dressing room.
"I have directed them to come and see me when I get back in town," said Melton. "There is a better way of life other than to have them exploited like that in public."
But the club's manager claims during that conversation the mayor offered the dancers new jobs.
"The mayor's language was inappropriate," said Gilbert Paige, Centerfolds' Manager. "Promising the girls a job was wrong because he isn't going to get them a job."
Paige says he's managed strip clubs for more than ten years and follows the law.
"All the dancers have licenses and are aware of the rules. Certain thing you can control others you can't. People who violate the rules are thrown out," said Paige.
Last year, the mayor permanently closed an adult video store on Terry Rd. He then closed another store on McDowell Rd. That store is back open. Centerfolds is now the latest target in Mayor Melton's war on indecency in the the capitol city.
When the mayor returns from his trip to Richmond, he will move to close Centerfolds permanently. J.P.D. officials say charges will likely be filed against that nude dancer and the club's manager.
Centerfolds manager says the club will re-open Monday night.
