Underdressed and going to court

Lawsuit over billboard on Rockaway Turnpike

By Michael Orbach

Issue of Feb. 6, 2009 / 12 Shevat 5769

A lawsuit was to be filed this week against the owner of a building on Rockaway Turnpike that houses a gentleman's club, and the company that operates the club. A locally infamous billboard on the building's roof features a young woman wearing practically nothing and numerous requests that the billboard be modified or removed have not been met.

"Enough is enough," said Nassau County Legislator Jeff Toback. He and Queens Councilman James Sanders met with Mordechai Movtady of Great Neck, who owns the building but not the club, about having the billboard removed, Toback said. An offer was made but the details could not be worked out.

"Hopefully they'll make a better offer in the context of the litigation," said Toback.

The suit, which lists Nassau County as the plaintiff, is being brought in New York State Supreme Court in Nassau County against Long Island Business LLC, owned by Movtady, and against 248-58 Cabaret Incorporated, doing business as the Platinum Club.

The lawsuit will maintain that the billboard violates public nuisance laws and constitutes a public display of offensive sexual material. According to the law an individual could be found guilty of that charge if they display an image that is of "prurient interest in sex" and that "appears to depict nudity."

The billboard, which is located on the main thoroughfare between the Five Towns and Brooklyn and Queens, has been an eyesore to many area residents. Over 300 people attended a meeting about the billboard held in the White Shul late last year.

The sign was put up without a proper permit from the New York City Department of Buildings, Sanders said, but the building department has been hesitant to order it taken down.

"We're really puzzled and deeply troubled that they're not moving in a far more vigorous fashion," Sanders told The Jewish Star. He urged residents to contact the New York City Buildings Department to complain. Calls to the Buildings Department were not immediately returned.

"We have been in dialogue with the owners and we have let them know we're not going away," said Sanders. "As long as there is an attack on our community we won't go away."

A poster hanging at street level on the wall outside the club that bears an image identical to the billboard was recently defaced. It was replaced within a few days by another poster that appeared larger than the original –– perhaps an effort to send a message somewhat similar to the councilman's.