Hustler Hollywood Files Lawsuit Against City of Fresno

By: Paul Goldberg, Staff Writer

Adult Retail Chain Says City Changed Rules To Stop From Opening

Hustler Hollywood has filed suit against the city of Fresno, contending in a federal civil rights lawsuit that city officials violated the adult retailer’s free-speech rights by preventing the adult retail chain from opening its adult-themed store at the former Silver Dollar Hofbrau outlet after the parent company had signed a 10-year lease on the property.

City officials went after Hustler’s proposed business “by taking action specifically designed to preclude (it) from opening and operating its desired establishment,” states the language of the lawsuit filed this month in U.S. District Court in Fresno. “In their rush to censor the plaintiff and to mute the plaintiff’s speech, defendants have unconstitutionally prevented the plaintiff’s ability to operate a business in the city of Fresno.”

Hustler’s lawyers are requesting that a judge declare the city’s actions unconstitutional. LFP inc., also wants the court to stop the city from enforcing its latest ruling against Hustler Hollywood.

Hustler is seeking unspecified damages for loss of profits, loss of goodwill, attorney fees, insurance costs, expenses associated with retaining an architect and consultant, and “deprivation of constitutional rights.”

Hustler is represented by Paul J. Cambria Jr. of the law firm of Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP in Buffalo, N.Y. He will be assisted by attorneys Erin E. McCampbell and Emily H. O’Reilly from the same firm.

We have learned that the city of Fresno has retained the services of Betts & Rubin of Fresno.

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