CHARGES IN OHIO AGAINST STORMY DANIELS DROPPED
Stripper suing Trump accused of breaking Ohio law.
Charges against COLUMBUS —
Stephanie Clifford, the adult film star who goes by the stage name Stormy Daniels, were dropped Thursday, just hours after Columbus police said she inappropriately touched undercover officers during a performance at a strip club.
Clifford has sued President Donald Trump and alleged the two had an affair.
From the main stage, as patrons threw dollar bills at her, Clifford took off her top and “began forcing the faces of the patrons into her chest and using her bare breasts to smack the patrons. The officers also observed Ms. Clifford fondling the breasts of female patrons,” the Columbus Police report says.
Clifford forced the heads of three undercover officers into her bare chest, the 17-page report says.
“I’ve determined that these crimes were not committed, based on the fact that Ms. Clifford has not made regular appearances at this establishment as required under the law,” Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein said in a statement.
Klein said his office was not involved in the sting and referred questions to Columbus police.
Daniels’ second night performance at Club Sirens, a strip club on the north side of Columbus, was canceled, according to a tweet posted on her account. Her attorney Michael Avenatti earlier had said his client would fight the three misdemeanor charges.
“She was arrested for allegedly allowing a customer to touch her while on stage in a non sexual manner! Are you kidding me? They are devoting law enforcement resources to sting operations for this? There has to be higher priorities!!!” Avenatti said on Twitter. “... We will vehemently contest all charges.”
Before Clifford posted bail, Columbus Police said in a news release that her arrest was part of a long-term investigation into allegations of human trafficking, prostitution and other vice-related violations.
Also arrested were Miranda Panda of Marion and Brittany Walters of Pickerington. All three were charged with illegal sexually oriented activity in a sexually oriented business.
“Since last fall, Columbus Police were made aware of illegal activity through various adult entertainment clubs throughout the city,” the release said. “Columbus Police have made numerous arrests. The division engages in these operations routinely with no effect on other calls for service.”
In 2007, Ohio legislators adopted a strict law that prohibits workers who are nude or partially nude in sexually oriented businesses from touching patrons. The law places restrictions on strip clubs, peep shows and adult bookstores. A coalition of adult businesses failed to get enough signatures to place the law on the ballot for a referendum vote in 2007.