Nevada legal pimp, candidate, star of HBO series found dead
LAS VEGAS — Dennis Hof, a pimp who gained notoriety for the HBO series Cathouse about his brothel business and who fashioned himself as a Donald Trump-style Republican candidate for the Nevada legislature, was found dead hours after his 72nd birthday bash, authorities said Tuesday.
Hof was found unconscious and later pronounced dead in his private residence at his Love Ranch brothel west of Las Vegas, Nye County Sheriff Sharon Wehrly told the Associated Press.
Wehrly, who also serves as county coroner, said she saw Hof at his birthday party late Monday at a local casino-hotel reception room with more than 100 of his friends, including former Phoenix-area sheriff Joe Arpaio.
“He was sitting on a stool talking with people when I left about 10,” Wehrly said. “I guess that’s partying at 72.”
The sheriff said there was no preliminary indication of foul play, but her office was investigating. An autopsy will be conducted by the Clark County coroner in Las Vegas, she said.
Hof, who turned 72 on Sunday, was the Republican candidate in a heavily Republican state legislative district. He had said his party would be attended by porn star Ron Jeremy and Arpaio, the former six-term sheriff of metropolitan Phoenix.
It wasn’t immediately clear Tuesday whether Jeremy attended, but Arpaio confirmed he had been at the party Monday night and was astounded to hear of Hof’s death.
“Boy, that’s shocking,” Arpaio said.
The former sheriff, known nationally for his positions on illegal immigration, said Hof was in good spirits when Arpaio left the party about 10 p.m. Monday.
Hof owned a handful of brothels in Nevada, the only state that allows them to legally operate.
His Love Ranch brothel outside Pahrump is where National Basketball Association player Lamar Odom was found unconscious in 2015.
The brothel was temporarily shuttered twice this year by regulators who said Hof failed to renew licences and get proper permits for renovations.
About 20 brothels operate in Nevada, mostly in rural areas. The state doesn’t publicize how many are open, and most owners keep a lower profile than Hof.
In addition to his legislative campaign, Hof faced a push to outlaw brothels and had problems with local regulators in the two counties where he runs the licensed bordellos.
Hof had also been accused of sexual assault on at least four occasions. The Nevada Department of Public Safety has said it was investigating an allegation made in September but has released few details.
Hof had denied any wrongdoing.
Besides Cathouse, the flamboyant Hof wrote a book titled The Art of the Pimp, a play on Trump’s book The Art of the Deal.