In a previous post, we wrote about a self-proclaimed "church" near Webb Chapel Road and Northwest Highway in Dallas by the name of Darkside, against which the city of Dallas had filed a nuisance lawsuit. That suit came after police investigation revealed that the property had been used as dance club, in violation of land-use restrictions. Youth apparently gathered after hours at the location to dance, blare techno music, engage in sex acts, and exchange illegal drugs.

The owner of Darkside is now being forced to close not only that operation, but another business by the name of Playground as well, which had been operating as a swingers' club under the guise of a church, just like Darkside. According to the Dallas city attorney's office, Playground was a storefront property where consenting adults met to have sex, look at pornography and watch strippers. The owner agreed to close both operations in Dallas County civil court on Wednesday.

As part of the Wednesday's agreement, the man is no longer able to open any businesses in Dallas. He will be allowed, however, to continue his spiritual outreach called NRG Mission, which was formed back in March.

Darkside and Playground, according to the owner, were started as branches of NRG Mission as a means of spiritual outreach. But according to a former disc jockey for Darkside, NRG missions was established in March after the city began pressuring Darkside about its illegal operating hours. Under city restrictions, the doors to the building were to be closed by 4 a.m., but Darkside wished to remain open until 7 a.m. The former disc jockey testified in court on Wednesday that he was told to make the club look like a church.

Darkside's former manger, known as Tommy Gunn, has been charged with indecency with a child and sexual performance of a child in connection to his relations with young patrons of the club. He was apparently fired after the owner learned of his arrest.

Source: Dallas News, "Owner of Playground, Darkside agrees to shut down Dallas clubs operating as religious ministries," Jon Nielsen, August 3, 2011.