9,487
edits
Changes
→Arety's Angels
After an [[October 7]] raid on her club by the [[Pensacola Police Department]], during which two dancers were arrested for illegal body contact with customers, Sievers accused Touart and McNesby or orchestrating the raid in retaliation against her.<ref>"Lounge owner blasts Touart." ''Pensacola News Journal'', January 9, 2004.</ref> Warrants for the raid, part of a sweep by the Department, were granted following "complaints of inappropriate behavior by dancers."<ref>"Two arrested after sting at local clubs." ''Pensacola News Journal'', October 8, 2003.</ref> The State Attorney's Office concluded on [[January 13]], [[2004]] that police did not selectively target Sievers' club, but "devoted far greater manpower and financing to the Arety's investigation than to the other five strip clubs following input from the Escambia County Administrator."<ref>"Arety's Angels wasn't unfairly targeted but got most attention, state report says." ''Pensacola News Journal'', January 14, 2004.</ref>
A grand jury convened on [[June 7]], [[2004]] to investigate the allegations, but declined to indict Touart or McNesby of any criminal wrongdoing.<ref>"[http://www.sptimes.com/2004/06/11/State/Officials_not_charged.shtml Officials not charged in inquiry of strip club.]" Associated Press, June 11, 2004.</ref> However, a later story by [[WEAR]] revealed that the wife of one of the grand jurors was employed by McNesby at the [[Escambia County Sheriff's Office]]. After the story broke, the 21-member jury released a statement asserting that, "in an abundance of caution," the juror in question had disclosed his relationship to McNesby and sat out deliberations involving him (but not Touart). The statement added, "To imply that one person could exert such an influence over the other 20 of us demonstrates an ignorance of the process, diminishes us all and casts doubt upon the entire grand jury system."<ref>"[http://inweekly.net/article.asp?artID=78 Nice Watchdog]." Independent News, June 25, 2004</ref>
===Illegal hunting trip===