Canton, Ohio- A Canton business with a supper club liquor license is under investigation for violating a city ordinance on public decency in connection with allegedly featuring a midget porn star during a midget wresting event held about two weeks ago.
Also, another local business was recently issued more than 30 citations for zoning violations, abandoned vehicles, and health and nuisance offenses.
Both cases were discussed Tuesday at a meeting of the city council’s Mechanical Committees.
Outskirts Bar & Grille Inc., 825 Old W. Locust St., allegedly hosted a midget wrestling event with a porn star. Mayor Kevin Meade, who also serves as chairman of Canton Liquor Commission, received a complaint alleging partial nudity occurred at the event.
Certain body parts allegedly were exposed in an extended manner that was not accidental or the result of a wardrobe malfunction, officials said after the meeting in response to questions about the allegations.
Kim Scott, owner of Outskirts, said today, “There were no porn stars there. There was nothing — midget wrestlers was all.” She declined to comment further.
Meade said at Tuesday’s meeting the liquor commission will determine whether a violation occurred or not.
Police Chief Dan Taylor reported 32 citations were issued for violations on property owned by James Wheeler on Old West Locust Street following an investigation and inspection by Canton Police Department, Fulton County Health Department and Illinois Secretary of State police.
Secretary of State police got involved in the case due to allegations of junk or salvaged vehicles on the property. The alleged presence of tires that can hold water where mosquitoes may breed prompted health officials to get involved as well.
A few years ago, area residents submitted a petition to Canton officials complaining about conditions on Wheeler’s property. Neighbors have returned since then to complain again.
City Attorney Chrissie Peterson explained after Tuesday’s meeting that Wheeler had been cited previously for various violations and at one point filed for bankruptcy. He was allowed to keep his property during bankruptcy proceedings. He then paid all the fines on the tickets and improved the property.
The property allegedly has deteriorated over the last few months, prompting joint inspections by police and health officials and the issuance of citations, Peterson said.
During the meeting, Alderman Joe Berardi said numerous complaints also have been made about nuisances at two or three properties in the area of Eighth Avenue and Ash Street. He asked if any enforcement action could be taken there as well.
Peterson said she was not familiar with problems in that area and would check to see in any related court cases are pending.