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The City of Las Vegas has won what it considers a significant case against the Sultan's Palace massage parlor and five female employes of the firm. But, commented City At ty. Carl Lovell on the deci sion. “It's time that people realize the courts are going to allow these businesses to operate until they are caught by the law. The court is go ing to give them a chance un til they hang themselves.” District Judge Michael Wendell, following a three hour poe denied a re quest for a business license to the Sultan's Palace and five female employes, Aline Benchetrit, Martha Chavez, Thelma Gruber, Ester Chap man and Paula Lovell. The city attorney said the city presented evidence showing it “did not have any independent verification about diplomas or training, attendance or instruction that we had requested. The ordinance under which the city refused a business license requires proof that masseuses have at least 225 hours of instruction and a diploma from a recognized institution. At least 225 hours is required in anatomy and physiology as well, according to Lovell .Their argument was if our investigation doesn't get us any information we shouldn't fault the girls until we find out what's — Lovell said of the parlor. He said he argued that if that was the case, the massage rlor's attorney, George H. Bizz could be allowed to practice law without proving he graduated from law school. Spizzirri, who could not be readhed for comment, filed suit in behalf of the Sultan's Palace and the women in December. In an earlier case, involving the Velvet Touch massage parlor, the court ordered licenses be issued. Asked if the decision Fri day was significant, Lovell replied it was “in the fact that while the courts say that massage is a legitimate oc cupation and therefore we must allow them to exist, nevertheless the court today stated that if they cannot prove their qualifications to us in the first instance, we have a right to deny them (a license), Lovell said once the courts hand out licenses, the matter becomes a problem for police. “The problem we've had after the courts issue the licenses is we do not have sufficient manpower to en force massage and escort or dinances, Lovell said. He said his office is “pushing for additional manpower to work on these businesses. “Unless the police officer does his job the ordinance is totally useless,’ Lovell said. He said the decision is valid unless the women “reapply the furnish all the informa tion necessary. Whether they can or not remains to be seen.’
Newspaper Details
Las Vegas Sun
Las Vegas, Nevada, US
Sat, Feb 14, 1976
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Evelyn A.
USA 11 Jul 2026
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