Owners of NY strip club where groom died in 50-bullet police shooting are charged with larceny
By APTuesday, March 9, 2010
Owners of NY club where groom was shot are charged
NEW YORK — A mother and son who owned a New York City strip club made infamous by a 50-bullet police shooting of an unarmed man there on his wedding day have been charged in a mortgage fraud case.
Martina Duran and Robert Arias were each ordered held on $250,000 bail Tuesday after being charged with larceny and identity theft. They owned the now-defunct Club Kalua, where Sean Bell’s 2006 bachelor party ended in tragedy.
Detectives investigating reports of prostitution at the club killed Bell and wounded two friends after following them outside. Three officers who said they believed the men had a gun were acquitted of manslaughter.
Prosecutors allege Duran and Arias were part of a $2 million scheme to use stolen identities to buy and sell properties.
Duran’s attorney hasn’t returned a phone message seeking comment. Her son’s lawyer won’t comment.
