Colacurcio Sr., son, 4 others plead not guilty to racketeering charges

Frank Colacurcio Sr., the 92-year-old patriarch of a local strip-club operation, joined his son and four associates in federal court in Seattle Friday to plead not guilty to racketeering charges.

The six men appeared before U.S. District Magistrate Judge James Donohue, who allowed the defendants to remain free pending a trial tentatively set for Sept. 28. However, all were ordered to have no contact with any of the strip clubs and past or present employees, though three of the club managers were allowed a month to hand over operations.

Colacurcio Sr. and his son, along with club managers Leroy R. Christiansen, David C. Ebert and Steven M. Fueston face 15 counts alleging racketeering through the promotion of prostitution, money laundering and mail fraud. A longtime friend of the Colacurcios', John Gilbert "Gil" Conte, is charged with one racketeering count.

Prosecutors say the Colacurcios and their partners organized their clubs — in Seattle, Shoreline, Everett and Parkland, Pierce County — to profit from rampant prostitution and failed to disclose their true income for tax purposes.

Attorneys for the men have declared the charges baseless. Friday, for example, Christiansen's attorney read from a wiretap transcript in which his client strictly reprimanded a dancer for engaging in illegal acts.

The defense lawyers argued to Donohue that barring the men from the clubs could put them out of business before they get their days in court. But Donohue agreed with prosecutors that it is needed to keep the defendants away from potential witnesses.

As Colacurcio Jr. was leaving court, his attorney, John Wolfe, said, "this is the beginning of a long journey."

Ian Ith: 206-464-2109 or iith@seattletimes.com