CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A controversial club in west Charlotte has closed its doors for good after a three-year court battle that ended with the club's owner facing possible jail time.
Curtis Leak signed a consent order on Monday agreeing to close Club Vox on Wilkinson Boulevard after a judge found him in contempt of court for violating an agreement the club had with police that had kept it open for almost two years.
"They agreed to shut down.
They agreed to never reopen there again, ever.
They agreed to turn in their alcohol permits," said Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department attorney Mark Newbold after he had signed the agreement along with Leak.
CMPD had first tried to close Club Vox in November 2010 after compiling a history of violence at the club. A judge allowed the club to stay open but only if it followed some strict rules.
In April of this year, another judge closed the club down after police found an assault rifle and other weapons in the trunk of a car belonging to a man hired to provide security at the club.
Police say that man and two other armed security officers had not been licensed to carry weapons as security officers.
According to the consent order, the judge found Leak guilty of contempt of court and sentenced him to 10 days in jail but suspended that sentence if Leak complies with the terms of the agreement.
Leak's attorney says he is not commenting on the agreement, but people living near the club say they are happy that it will not reopen.
"Good news, good news," said Lillian Petty, who lives on Greenland Avenue, barely two blocks away.
She says the club would often bring cars and commotion into her quiet neighborhood, and she's glad it's closed.
"It's kind of like a lot of communities -- it's a good side, and you walk down the street, and there's a bad side," Petty says.
Police say it is definitely a win for neighbors that's been a long time coming.
"I hope that the community is satisfied. It took a lot longer than they wanted, but the judicial process takes a while," Newbold says.
Troubled west Charlotte club to close forever
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