WFMJ.com News weather sports for Youngstown-Warren OhioGo Go owner says he'll keep fighting charges

Go Go owner says he'll keep fighting charges

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio - The owner of a controversial Austintown night club says he'll fight allegations that his business was being used as a house of prostitution.

Sebastian Rucci, owner of the Go Go Cabaret, is one of six men named in a 23 count indictment on charges including corruption, prostitution, money laundering, and perjury.

Rucci, who is representing himself in the case, pleaded not guilty.

"I'm very comfortable we've done nothing wrong," he said.

The indictment, which claims the men operated the exotic dance club as a brothel, seeks to confiscate the club's furnishings.

The indictment alleges that Rucci knowingly supervised, managed, or controlled a prostitute.

Rucci said the business is monitored to ensure that nothing illegal occurs.

"I can tell you one thing: It's not prostitution," he said.

He said he believes the charges are retaliatory, saying there is no reason to single his business out.

"Maybe I just don't know how to contribute well, politically, so that's my defense," Rucci said.

He said he believes the government is "turning a blind eye" to illegal behavior that goes on elsewhere.

"I won't quit because I believe in my rights and so I keep fighting, because I believe that's the way America was built," Rucci said.

The five others named in the indictment are Robert Neill of Youngstown, Curtis Jones of Cortland, Derrick Dozier of Struthers, Wayne Penney of Youngstown and Peter Sciullo of Niles.