From www.news-journal.com – Topless entertainers trolling for lap dance customers manipulate male patrons and create a dangerous atmosphere, according to a lawsuit filed by two men who were stabbed outside a Waco gentlemen’s club two years ago.

Aaron Moreno and Michael Gutierrez are seeking unspecified damages in their lawsuit, filed in Waco’s 414th State District Court against the exotic nightclub Two Minnies and its owners, James W. Scarborough and Carol A. Scarborough.

Jim Scarborough said he was not aware of the lawsuit and deferred comment to his attorney, David Dickson, who did not return phone messages to his office.

The suit, filed on the plaintiffs’ behalf by Waco attorney Michael Zimmerman, claims that Moreno and Gutierrez were in the topless bar at 641 Ruby Ave. on June 26, 2007, and that a female dancer was “soliciting” Moreno for lap dances.

Another man in the club, whom the lawsuit only identifies by his reported last name, approached Moreno’s table and said he was upset that the dancer was spending too much time at Moreno’s table, the suit alleges.

The man reportedly assaulted Moreno in the bar and the altercation continued with Moreno being pushed through an exit door and into the parking lot, according to the lawsuit.

“The door was then closed and locked by defendants’ employees, leaving plaintiff Aaron Moreno outside and unprotected against (the man) and the other male patrons,” the suit alleges. “At no time before, during or after the incident did defendants’ employees assist plaintiffs.”

The man and others stabbed Moreno nine times in the parking lot, near the front door of the club, according to the suit. Gutierrez was stabbed twice when he went outside to try to help his friend.

“Defendants did not possess or use any security equipment, personnel, policies, training and/or other safety procedures on or before this incident to prevent criminal acts against defendants’ employees and their patrons,” the suit claims.

The nightclub was negligent because it did not properly train its employees in safety procedures, failed to provide security guards, failed to stop the assaults and by encouraging dancers to promote excessive alcohol consumption and allowing patrons to have weapons in the bar, the suit alleges.

The suit also alleges that the man who assaulted Moreno and Gutierrez was younger than age 21 and being served alcohol at the club.

“Further, defendants’ female dance employees are trained by defendants to manipulate male patrons in a manner that produces behavior and conduct that results in patrons’ safety being compromised,” according to the suit. “These actions and omissions, among others, were the proximate cause of plaintiffs’ injuries and damages.”