Lawsuit: Dance Club Claims to Be Church NBC Dallas-Fort Worth:
"Dallas filed a nuisance lawsuit
Wednesday alleging that a building
used for after-hours parties violates land-use restrictions.
The city says Darkside in the 3000 block of West
Northwest Highway near Webb Chapel
Extension is a 'drug-infested, after-hours' club.
Dallas said the owner, Glen Hudson,
told city officials that his establishment
was a 'religious organization exempt from
the city's land-use regulations.' Hudson said he is
an ordained minister of the Universal Life Church, the city said.
The Universal Life Church says on its website that it has
ordained more than 20 million people worldwide.
It offers 'free online ordination' by filling out a quick online form.
The city had received reports of late-night parties
at Darkside. The location does not have
a permit to operate as a dance club.
'Our first concern was that someone might be using the
designation of 'church'... as a ruse, which is offensive to those
that care about... invoking that type of forum to cover
illegal and otherwise disturbing activity,' said
Melissa Miles, senior assistant city attorney.
According to court papers, Hudson told the
city that Darkside is a youth outreach ministry.
Darkside's manager, Thomas Eppelsheimer, known as
Tommy Gunn, was arrested Monday on drug and indecency
with a child charges. The city said Eppelsheimer, who is
free on bond, is accused of selling illegal drugs
to and having sex with underage girls.
Darkside's location does not have a sign other than
graffiti on the side of the building that reads 'Darkside.'"
