Federal prosecutors want trustee to run brothel

In his motion, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barr asks that federal bankruptcy trustee Jeri Coppa-Knudson be named to oversee the brothel pending the outcome of felony indictments charging Conforte and others with fraud, money laundering and racketeering.

A California lawyer representing A.G.E. Corp. and A.G.E. Enterprises, current owner of the Storey County brothel east of Reno, could not be reached for comment.

A hearing on the request is scheduled for Thursday in U.S. District Court in Reno.

Conforte, who fled to South America years ago, has long been suspected of remaining actively involved in the brothel's operations.

Coppa-Knudson is familiar with the brothel. In 1990, she was appointed Mustang trustee when the Internal Revenue Service seized the property for back taxes.

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