Lawsuit: Dance Club Claims to Be Church | NBC Dallas-Fort Worth

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.'"