Seattle crime family strip club up for auction

One of Seattle’s seediest buildings is going up for auction on Wednesday. Rick’s Nightclub on Lake City Way was seized by federal agents more than a year ago.

It took police and federal agents five years to bust the notorious Frank Colacurcio Sr., also known as the Stripper King, and gain possession of his criminal empire. As part of their plea deal, the Colacurcio family agreed to forfeit Rick’s Nightclub to the US Department of Justice, after being indicted for racketeering and prostitution.

Now, after some deep cleaning, the justice department is ready to sell it.

If you’re wondering who wants to buy a strip club? Paul Baxley of the US Marshal Service says, lots of people:

"We’ve had so much interest by individuals who want to operate Rick’s as an adult entertainment club again, as well as, we’ve had a lot of interest by individuals who want to use it for some other type of commercial property."

There’s been some push back from the neighboring community about the possibility of Rick’s remaining a strip club – they’d like something more family-friendly take it’s place. But despite their objections, Baxley says the justice department is neutral on the subject. Their top priority is to recoup as much money for the government as possible.

Which is why Rick’s has remained pretty much intact, with one exception, according to Baxley:

"The stripper poles are no longer in the building. It’s now, bring your own pole."

If you’re interested in bidding on the property, make sure to bring lots of cash. It takes a $100,000 cashier’s check to be allowed in the door and there’s no financing.

The U.S. Marshal’s Service says they could easily get $1.5 million for the property. The proceeds will go to the Seattle Police Department, the FBI and the IRS.

The auction starts at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at Rick’s, 11332 Lake City Way NE.