The City of Columbus wants a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit by strip club dancers who allege malicious prosecution by two police officers from the since-disbanded vice unit.
Six women say the club was targeted in retaliation for firing a bouncer who claimed to work with police. The women were charged under a state law banning dancers from touching patrons. The charges were later dismissed. The city acknowledged the vice unit was warned police didn't qualify as patrons, but denies the officers violated the women's rights. The city denies its policies or practices led to anyone being charged without probable cause. The officers say they weren't retaliating and had probable cause.
