These witnesses are just part of a parade of felons expected to take the witness stand in the upcoming federal racketeering trial involving the Gold Club, the Buckhead nude dance bar. And they will be testifying for the federal government. In fact, they'll be the backbone of the prosecution's attempt to tie club owner Steve Kaplan to organized crime. In order to get the snitches to testify, the government has forgiven decades of possible prison time. Kaplan and 16 others are charged in a sweeping racketeering conspiracy that includes loansharking, prostitution, illegal ties to organized crime, credit card fraud and police corruption.
Jury selection begins today.
In an effort to streamline what is expected to be a lengthy trial, U.S. District Judge Willis Hunt has pared down the case, picking only seven defendants to be tried initially. Gold Club dancer Jacklyn Bush and Michael DiLeonardo, whom prosecutors contend is a member of the Gambino crime family. Kaplan is accused of paying Gold Club dancers to have sex with celebrities and professional athletes to heighten the club's profile. Several sports stars, including Jamal Anderson of the Atlanta Falcons and Terrell Davis of the Denver Broncos, are under subpoena to testify. They have not been accused of wrongdoing.