seems as if everyones got there own opinion...so here goes. Me being a single mother of 5, I have NEVER had to go to work anywhere where I have to take off my clothes and degrade myself. I dont believe there is any excuse for a place like that. This place is has no class once so ever. You dont have to go into see that. The place dont even check everyones ids. Teenagers sneak in through a back door. (So Ive been told) Go to a big city and see the difference of "strip clubs" This place is a joke and is doing nothing but causing problems...get rid of it. I could go on and on but I wont waste my time. Just putting in my two cents if anyone cares

whatever536

We have not saved our children from the boobs--they are running city hall!

When did Wisconsin become part of the bible belt? If it was just a lap dance, he did nothing wrong. Why did this just start happening after the strip club has been in place for years? Did the police chief just find religion or something?

Yes I do agree the city brought all these problems upon themselves when they would not issue a liquor license to Halbach when he just wanted to open a sandwich and bar shop. Again this shows what will happen when the city has a grudge against a person or company. We would not be talking about this today if the city fathers didn't have this problem. I just hope the city learned something from all this.

If they would have given Halbach a liquor license years ago none of us would even be talking about this. There would never have been a strip club, hookers, etc. Just a sandwich shop that serves beer.

Razz, last I knew, children were not allowed in strip clubs!

Regarding the unreported cash to the IRS… I’d be willing to bet that there is more unreported cash by the waiters and waitresses in Janesville’s highly respected restaurants on any given day than in a week by the contract employees of MeeMees. I’d also be willing to bet that I’m just as likely to report the winnings from my bet as any of you are likely to report your winnings from office or bar pools.
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I’d bet-er shut up now or Janesville will be crawling with IRS agents. 

We might as well make prostitution legal! I works in Nevada! Allocate the resources and tax dollars to victim crimes, like sexual assault, robbery, burglary, etc.

tickle_32--

I wasn't suggesting that the police should add more charges so that the license could be revoked. That was sarcasm. I think the police should be penalized 15 yards for unneccesary roughness--piling on.

luluberry--

Oh yes, I'm sure the Republic will fall and the world will come to an end if Janesville doesn't do something about this horrible business.

betterinformed--

From your posts it appears to me that you are in some way connected to Mr. Halbach, his family or his businesses. Perhaps you are Mr. Halbach himself.

There isn't a person familiar with the operation of a cash only enterprise such as stripper's lapdances, or hookers' sexual services (Are you contending that they dancers/prostitutes take checks or Mastercard?) that doesn't understand how easy it is to under-report cash payments, and how hard it is for the IRS and the state to prosecute those who do.

You are either very naive, or you think the rest of us are really, really stupid.

And, btw, though I'm no longer in private business, I have successfully and honestly operated businesses in the past, including a tavern (no strippers). I have filled out all those forms you seem to feel are a panacea for what ails us. So, I do speak with some knowledge of the subject.

I do remember the previous arrests and if my memory is correct the owners were also charged Havent heard much on that lately I agree with some of the comments and the owners are very much aware and should pay the fiddler also with their pictures plastured along with the rest of them, I dont see where putting the pics in the paper was necessary as to the minute incident. drug charges are far more serious and i dont see many of those pics in paper along with people arrested 4 or more times for OWIs the public should be able to see their pics so we can protect our lives from these individuals as these girls are not a threat to my existence. or my families.

Man these young pups sure drive a long way just for a strip show and whatever else. People criticize the women, but can't these guys find female companionship between Burlington or Belvidere and Janesville?

I guess I'm too old and from too small of a town to understand this

Nice said hiredgun. Naked lap dancing, while gross to some, isn't the end of all things. If the business broke the law, close it down. They are arresting people for something they did almost a year ago and plastering their pictures all over, embarrassing their family and friends. Maybe what they did was illegal, but lets get our priorities straight when it comes to the amount of attention given to certain crimes.

There's nothing worse than an unqualified stripper :)

I think the city should shut this place down... it is a horrible horrible business.

The funny part is; when I chose this article a google ad came accross "Learn about being a Nun". What does that and prostitution have in common?

dvlwmn

Yes, your correct. The totally nude aspect does figure in. Generally speaking, making a prostitution by sexual contact case, out of a lap dance is difficult. Not the least of the problems, the customer is paying for a dance, not sexual gratification as required by law.

Now in the usual lap dance the dancer is topless but not nude. Janesville differs in that respect. Total nudity increases the likely hood, in a juror's eyes, that any physical contact is for sexual gratification. Now add the fact that their apparently is video of some of the alleged violations. This is totally unusual and could factor heavily in the ultimate outcome.

hiredgun- Ignorance is bliss. Did you ever think that a business would have an accountant. That accountants are very aware of all aspects of a clients business. These dancers are indepentent contract workers, they pay the house to use the Dance Floor, the Lap Dance area. Their tips and income from dancing is their responsilbilty to keep track of, and report to the IRS, not the club owner.

Hugh- The only reason why MEEMEEs is getting busted for prostitution is because they are the only full nudity club in the area. The "prostitution through sexual contact" charge is only because the dancers/employees have no bottoms on. If a women with a bikini bottom or thong on rubs on a mans lap it is not considered prostitutuion but it is if they are bottomless.....Make sense or did I ramble?? And if I remeber correctly the original sting got some people from Isabella and Diamonds as well. Anyone remember?

betterinformed--

I've no doubt that the appropriate forms were filled out. But so what? I think you're naive to believe that the strippers properly, accurately and completely reported their tips, or that the club owners did the same on their cut.
And, btw, in Wisconsin, for most purposes, the girls are not contractors, even if their contract claims they are. They are, rather, employees. The "independent contractor" has been long recognized as a dodge by which the business owner can cheat the unsophisticated out of benefits such as insurance and a decent living wage. That's why independent contractor status is closely scrutinized by the courts.

This has gotten silly.

We have a gang problem in Janesville. We have a drug problem in Janesville. There are areas of Janesville that are no longer safe to walk about after dark. People who write bad checks constantly rip off our merchants, raising our costs. We still have too many drunks driving cars and killing us. Our DA and the courts constantly complain that they are over-worked. Whiners.

Yet, somehow, the police chief, the city council, and the editorial staff of the Gazette still think the so-called investigation into lap-dancing (Good grief! Not even oral sex.) at Srceamin’ Meemies is important and they the continue to waste public money and newsprint on it.

The chief comes across as an anal retentive, sanctimonious prig. Aided and abetted by the Gazette, he sees more publicity and thus more funding for his department. Along with the city council, he sees a way to get back at the owners of Screamin’ Meemies, who have been a constant thorn in the backsides of the council and the department. Pile on the charges, and then revoke the adult entertainment license. (I wonder just how many women in Janesville would say that some lout patted their rump or squeezed their boobs—a sexual assault—only to have their case be the subject of a perfunctory police investigation, (if any at all) or be plea-bargained into oblivion by the DA.)

The Gazette loves this stuff: titillation sells papers. These nameless, wannabee pornographers hope this never ends. What are ya gonna do on a slow news day?

The city council will neither forgive nor forget that Halbach out-maneuvered it when he opened the joint. Obviously, it, like the police, has nothing better to do.

Puleeze, people! Let’s move on to something important.

I have my guess but I honestly don't know the answer to this...but are other establishments like this in the area and state being targeted for prostitution if any body contact during a lapdance is considered illegal sexual contact? I'm also not an expert on city politics but I've been a long-time Janesville resident so I've always known that those in our city government have always had a dislike for Jim Halbach whether or not their problems are legit. So, is it possible this place was targeted as a result of the city's fued with this business owner? I'm curious to hear the opinions of those who'd better know. P.S. Isn't a lapdance with ZERO body contact just the same as sitting there at a table watching like everyone else? Isn't the point of a lapdance to get a closer private dance? Shouldn't sexual contact BE sexual contact (oral sex, intercourse, etc)? Having a naked female dance on your lap, around your chair and/or close to your person while you are fully clothed IS THE POINT! If you're offended by the concept then do not go. Geez...lighten up folks. Glad I've been to most of my bachelor parties years ago before strip clubs became outlawed:-)

str8shtr, I apologized for misreading your post.

I thought more people would have understood what was meant by my comment possibly people are ready to blame who ever comes in their way first instead of finding the cause of the real problem.????

Paisleysdaddy...thank you for clarifying. I misread str8shtr's post. Apologies.

jtmek, read my previous post. I think you need to look at the sarcasm in str8shtr's post. It's the fact that MeeMee's shouldn't be punished for a few bad apples, otherwise, GM or any other business would be in the same boat MeeMee's is in.

str8shtr,I take offense to your comment of GM workers. My husband works there and has never been to any bar or strip club during his lunch time, before or even after his shift. You think that just because they have a program to help drug/alcohol that GM as a whole is bad? Guess what, many, many businesses have drug/alcohol programs (and to stop any flames, I know not all do or should). You absolutely do not know what you are talking about. I would also advise that you proofread your comments before posting them.

hiredgun- If you filled out the monthly State Sales Tax Return you would be better informed. All revenues that come into a Strip Club are taxed by the State of Wisconsin. The State loves their tax money. Give the Sales Tax agency a call. Don't take the word of one who has to fill out the form.

BeenThereDoneThat - You just explained what you said, that str8shtr's comments don't apply. Just because there are a few bad apples, doesn't spoil the whole bunch. In a matter of speaking, str8shtr is saying the exact same thing. Just because of a few bad apples, that doesn't mean screamin meemees should shut down. If that were the case, they would shut down GM due to a few bad apples. People should stop with the shut down comments of MeeMees. They should be treated just as fairly as any other business. Also, the dancers DO, in fact, PAY to work at the club as mentioned earlier. That's standard practice in these types of establishments.

P.S. (sarcasm begin)I drive a Ford. Just thought I'd mention that even though it doesn't really matter. :)(/end sarcasm)

str8shtr...besides the geographical location (i.e., right across the street), how does this club have ANYTHING to do with General Motors? How are your comments even relevant? Yes, there was a drug bust at GM many years ago, but shame on you for insinuating that all of them are drunks and druggies. In this case, a few bad apples does NOT spoil the whole bunch. GM wages pay my house payment and provide a college education for my child. So zip it!

betterinformed--

If you believe all that, I've got a bridge to sell you.

Again the Gazzette has called the Dancers employees. They are not employess, they are contract labor and pay a rental fee to dance at the club. These rental fees are taxed by the State of Wisconsin in the form of sales Tax. The same is true of the Lap Dances. A portion of what the Dancer charges the customer is paid to the club. This fee is also taxed by the State of Wisconsin. It seems the State of Wisconsin condones these actitives because it collects taxes from them.

Yeah And Get rid of GM to remember a couple years ago they had a drug bust. Well them people are dangerous right and they have a drug and alcohol program that proves it right And them people drink & drive and do drugs. And probally wander to SCREAMIN MEE MEES And make them people dance for a living right. but Jim Halbach doesn't own GM so its ok right. ???

I'll 2nd that.!

I think the city shoul step up an revoke all of Screamin MeeMees Liscenses an order the place to shut down you cant tell me the owner dosent know what is going on how can you not know perty irisponsible on te owners part an our so called city officals have yet to do anything to put a stop to this an it still continues wonder how many more will be arested