Blumenthal Takes the Sex Industry to Court
The AG does not want the sex industry opening up all over
AFP/Getty Images
If this is what you're selling, the AG does not want it near homes.
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is taking on the sex industry because he considers shops like Very Intimate Pleasures creeping up next to Gymboree, or other places moms and babies bond with other moms and babies, is a little unsavory.
So, Blumenthal is asking, in the form of an appeal, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York to overturn a lower court's decision in a case involving the town of Berlin and the VIP chain of adult stores.
The federal court decided that a town ordinance prohibiting the store is unconstitutionally vague.
Blumenthal believes that decision threatens cities and towns' abilities to decide where bow-chick-a-wow-wow films, nudie mags and sex toys are sold.
“Sexually oriented businesses have no business being where localities legitimately bar them,” Blumenthal said.
In Berlin’s case people were shopping for their very intimate pleasures within 250 feet of homes, something the town found unsavory.
When you have shops like this, adult theaters, massage parlors and live nude entertainment, there is more crime, Blumenthal said.
“Studies show that such businesses cause increased crime, especially sex-related offenses, reduced property values, deterioration of neighboring businesses, and a lower quality of life for residents,” he said in a news release.
The Associated Press left a message with a lawyer for VIP.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC Connecticut
Posted Wednesday, Aug 5, 2009 - 12:44 PM EST
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