Nightclub Struggles to Keep Operating
Attorneys for an embattled nightclub that had its use permit revoked by the city of Thousand Oaks earlier this month have filed for bankruptcy on behalf of the club and argued that the filing should allow the club to keep operating.
In a June 20 letter to the city, Stargate Nightclub and Baja Grille attorney Barry Sisselman said the June 13 bankruptcy filing gave his client an automatic stay.
“Pursuant to the protections afforded by the automatic stay, my client will continue to operate under the protection of the United States bankruptcy court,” Sisselman wrote.
But Assistant City Atty. Jim Friedl replied a day later saying that the filing of a petition for bankruptcy does not grant the club such a stay.
On Wednesday, the Hillcrest Drive nightclub appeared to be closed. Calls to the club were answered by a recorded message that said: “Sorry, but at this time, we are now closed. The city shut us down and we are no longer in business.”
The Stargate’s use permit was revoked by the City Council on June 11 after a hearing in which officials and neighbors described the club as a seedy, out-of-control place where anything went and punches were always flying.
Police said violence at the Stargate appeared to be escalating, with bigger brawls, more stabbings and even some shots fired.
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