FBI: Prostitution rampant at strip-club empire of Frank Colacurcio

In a move aimed at dismantling the strip-club empire of Frank Colacurcio Sr., federal prosecutors on Monday seized documents and other evidence in a series of raids and revealed that a three-year undercover investigation has turned up “rampant” prostitution and evidence of money laundering and racketeering.

As FBI and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents carted away boxes of documents in the raids at several strip clubs, a federal judge in Seattle issued a temporary restraining order that prevents Colacurcio or anyone involved in his operations from selling their interest in the properties in anticipation of federal racketeering charges.

No arrests were made and no criminal charges have been filed.

Targeted in simultaneous raids Monday were Colacurcio’s business office, Talents West, and his strip clubs: Rick’s, in Seattle; Sugar’s, in Shoreline; Honey’s, in Everett; and Fox’s, in Parkland, Pierce County. Also searched were Colacurcio Sr.’s home and a Seattle apartment.

In an unusually pointed court filing, prosecutors say they anticipate seeking charges against the senior Colacurcio, his son, Frank Jr. and several business associates under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly known as RICO.

U.S. Attorney Jeff Sullivan said Colacurcio, his business partners and several subordinates are under investigation for promoting prostitution, money laundering, tax evasion and mail fraud.

Under a RICO prosecution, law-enforcement officials could seek to shut down and seize the clubs - a penalty prosecutors could not impose after convicting Colacurcio of tax evasion and illegal gambling activities in the past.

“This is the most significant organized-crime investigation we have ever undertaken,” Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske said at a news conference Monday. The raids and an ongoing federal grand-jury investigation will have a “great impact on an organization that is doing significant damage to this city.”

Investigators say the Colacurcios and their co-owners, Steve Fueston, David Ebert and Leroy Christiansen, profited handsomely from their clubs. In one 15-month period, they brought in $15.2 million in gross revenues, according to the court filing.

“This is not about the morals police,” the chief said. “This is about organized crime … prostitution and violence.” …[…]

Source and full article: seattletimes.nwsource.com/