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Owners of defunct Club Jama, ex-dancers ask court to dismiss suit
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Posted on Jan 13 2012
The owners of the defunct Club Jama and 10 of their former dancers who had sued the club for allegedly not paying them overtime are now asking the federal court to dismiss the suit after reaching a settlement in the case.
Attorneys Colin M. Thompson, counsel for plaintiffs, and G. Anthony Long, counsel for defendants Chanpac Inc., owner of the former Club Jama, and Chanpac officers Ernest J. Strange and his wife, Thelma Strange, told the U.S. District Court for the NMI on Thursday about their agreement to have the case dismissed with prejudice. That means the case cannot be re-opened.
Thompson and Long asked the district court to retain jurisdiction to enforce the settlement agreement. Each party shall bear their own attorney fees and costs.
The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
The complainants, through Thompson, filed the lawsuit in 2009, alleging among other things, that the defendants forced them to dance for events and functions outside and in addition to their normal work hours at the club.
The Stranges reportedly now reside in Tennessee.
In September 2010, U.S. District Court for the NMI designated judge Philip M. Pro canceled the trial that was then scheduled for Sept. 20, 2010, after being informed that a settlement has been reached.
In December 2007, police and Labor investigators raided the barracks of Club Jama in Chalan Piao and rescued six dancers who were allegedly being falsely imprisoned.
Several other then employees of the club, including a dancer, later denied the allegations of their co-workers. The management then decided to shut down the club’s operations.
The Strange couple was never charged criminally in court.
