Writing Shotgun

TAKE THE NIGHT OFF

Theo DouglasFri. March 21
 

Long Beach police find activity “of a sexual nature,” close The Basement for an evening

In a lurid development for the sedately bohemian East Village Arts District, The Basement nightclub was closed for the evening Saturday, March 15, after Long Beach Police vice detectives found patrons allegedly engaging in activity “of a sexual nature.”

Two of its owners, who were present that night, were cited by Long Beach police. Rumors circulated this week that the event had been a swingers party.

“That was what I heard. I’ve met the owners and they’re nice and respectable people. I don’t know if a promoter went wild or anything,” said a source who spoke on condition of anonymity. The person asked that their name not be used for fear of jeopardizing their livelihood.

Long Beach Police Department Public Information Officer Nancy Pratt said the club at 149 Linden Ave.–which, according to a recorded message on its answering machine specializes in martinis and serves “high-end appetizers until 11 p.m.”–has been the target of several complaints “from people in the community,” which date to last year.

The Basement’s owners were not at the club Friday night, but a manager, Luisa Miralles, confirmed that nearby residents have complained about late-night noise.

But when detectives arrived at the club, around 10:30 p.m. March 15, they found some patrons allegedly doing more than enjoying high-end appetizers.

“I can’t really get into too much detail, but what I can tell you is that there was activity taking place there of a sexual nature,” Pratt said.

Asked later in the conversation to elaborate, Pratt added: “I think I classified that as, um, activity of a sexual nature–and I’m going to leave it at that. It could be all sorts of things, as you know.

I don’t know exactly how many [people], but I can tell you that it was several. It would be safe to say several or multiple.”

According to Pratt, two of the club’s reported three owners were cited for not having an adult entertainment permit–a misdemeanor violation of Long Beach Municipal Code–and the case was referred to the Long Beach City Prosecutor’s office.

Noel Hacegaba, the Prosecutor’s director of communications and community relations, said late Friday that the Prosecutor’s office is still reviewing the case and hasn’t yet decided whether to file criminal charges against The Basement owners.

“In the near future, we’ll make a determination on whether we want to file,” Hacegaba said, adding that if the Prosecutor’s office decides to file charges, it will file misdemeanor charges, punishable by a $1,000 fine or up to one year in jail per charge.

Pratt also said that the Police Department will forward information on the incident to the City’s business license bureau for review. No Basement patrons were cited.

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