Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

Dennis Hof seeking court injunction to reopen brothel

Dennis Hof at the Love Ranch

Steve Marcus

Dennis Hof smiles during an interview at his Love Ranch legal brothel in Crystal, Nev., on Tuesday, June 26, 2018. Hof won the Republican primary election for Nevada State Assembly District 36.

Brothel owner Dennis Hof is seeking a court injunction to allow his Love Ranch South to reopen after Nye County officials last week pulled his business license.

A hearing on the matter has been set for Aug. 24 in U.S. District Court.

The brothel, about 70 miles north of Las Vegas, closed Aug. 7 after county commissioners voted against renewing Hof’s business license and revoked his liquor license, citing the late payment of annual brothel fees.

“The county has ongoing issues and concerns regarding his business in Crystal, which led to his privileged license not being renewed. We will vigorously defend the board’s decision,” county spokesman Arnold Knightly said in a statement.

In a court filing, Hof says his constitutional rights were violated. Hof’s legal team is requesting the county provide records on when business license renewal payments were received and when the county sent out the renewal forms.

Hof previously said he was late with his payment because he received the forms late from the Nye County Sheriff’s Office.

“It’s revenge,” Hof said, blaming the action on lawsuits he filed against the county and political disputes. Hof won the Republican primary for Assembly District 36.

Commission Chairwoman Lorinda Wichman said last week that the renewal forms are mailed only as a courtesy, and it’s up to brothel owners to obtain them and make sure they are filed on time.