By Rachel Lippmann, St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis, MO – One of three clubs that Mayor Francis Slay's administration believes may have played a role in recent shootings in the downtown entertainment district has been charged with violating at least eight sections of the city's liquor code
The Excise Commissioner's office, which oversees liquor licenses, sent a letter Wednesday to Club Lure, located at 1204 Washington Ave., outlining the five charges. The letter is the first step in the process of revoking Lure's liquor license.
One charge centered around a fight that erupted June 11 outside the club and spilled into a nearby parking lot. The fight led to shots being fired from an assault rifle. In February, a victim was struck with a baseball bat in a fight among club-goers outside the building, and the excise commission also believes that club-goers were responsible for gunshots fired last November.
The letter cited multiple complaints from residents in the area of littering, lewd and indecent conduct, illegal drugs, and crimes committed by partiers. Club Lure was also charged with having unauthorized employees.
Club Lure's owners will appear at a hearing at City Hall on August 27th to answer the charges. They have called the revocation effort racist, saying most of the complaints come during the club's hip hop nights, which attract a mostly black crowd. The decision to revoke a license rests with excise commissioner Robert Kraiberg.
Two other clubs - Sugar Lounge and Club 15 - are apparently in negotiations with the city to resolve their complaints, but a spokesman for Mayor Slay said the excise commission has charging letters prepared for them as well should talks break down.