Cafe Owner Accused of Levying Cover Fee
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A trial is set Monday in Municipal Court in Santa Ana for the owner of Koo’s Arts Cafe, who is charged with violating a city ordinance involving cover charges.
City officials allege cafe owner Dennis Lluy has been requesting cover charges without obtaining the proper city permit. Undercover Santa Ana police officers allege they were allowed to enter the cafe Feb. 28 only after paying $5, Assistant City Atty. Gary Sheatz said.
Lluy denied wrongdoing. His attorney, Thomas Brill, said the Main Street coffeehouse only seeks voluntary donations to cover expenses of frequent entertainment events.
The owner said his business, a few blocks away from the downtown art galleries known as the Artists Village, is helping the city’s effort to become known as an arts center.
If found guilty of the misdemeanor charge, Lluy could face up to six months in county jail and a $1,000 fine, Sheatz said.
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