Texas- www.kfdm.com/ – The owners of a Beaumont strip club are trying to get back their permit to operate as a sexually oriented business.

Today the attorneys hired by the owners of the Gold Club argued their case before a hearing officer appointed by the city.

The hearing officer listened to their arguments in a room at city hall. The officer has until next Thursday to make a decision about whether the Gold Club will be able to return to normal, and get back its sexually oriented business permit.

The Gold Club has been operating as a bikini bar since July, when the city decided not to renew the owners’ permit to operate as a sexually oriented business.

Fannett Entertainment group owns the Gold Club. Attorneys hired by the corporation say the city is on a crusade to shut down a lawful, constitutionally protected business.

But the city says the business filed its application too late, and left out information.

The defense attorneys disagree and say the application included answers to every question asked.

City attorneys say once the application is late, it’s viewed as a new application.

Complicating the issue, a church was built after the Gold Club began operating.

But because the club is now considered a new applicant for a permit, it can’t operate within 1,500 feet of the church.

The hearing officer has about a week to make a decision on the appeal.

Attorneys for Fannett Entertainment have filed a federal lawsuit against the city claiming the rules governing sexually oriented businesses are unconstitutional.