Strip clubs denial could be headed to trial

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A federal trial to determine damages in the case of a businessman denied the right to open two Milwaukee strip clubs could begin next year.

Jon Ferraro was denied city tavern amusement licenses for Silk East, a club proposed for 730 N. Old World Third St., and Satin, a club proposed for 117 W. Pittsburgh Ave., in 2010.

The city never took action on a 2011 application for Silk East to operate as a dry club under Milwaukee’s theater ordinance, according to court documents. Ferraro sued the city through his Brookfield companies, Six Star Holdings LLC and Ferol LLC, claiming the city’s tavern amusement ordinance was unconstitutional.

In March, U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman decided the ordinance is legal but also ruled Ferraro was entitled to damages from the city for its failure to consider his 2011 application.

According to court documents, Ferraro claimed he would have operated Silk East as a dry club had he been granted a theater license, and Adelman ruled the businessman can attempt to prove that and seek damages through a trial.

Ferraro must disclose expert witnesses for that trial by Dec. 1, and the city must do the same by March 1. All discovery must be complete by June 1, according to court documents.