Kahoots suit blames disbanded Vice unit for closure

The fallout from Columbus’ embattled former vice squad continues, as a new lawsuit has been leveled against officers by the owners of Kahoots.

According to WOSU, Icon Entertainment Group, which owned club operations at the now-closed gentleman’s club on Kenny Road, has sued former Columbus Vice officers Steven Rosser and Whitney Lancaster. The suit claims that Rosser and Lancaster’s improper enforcement activities are the reason that the club went under.

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Rosser and Lancaster were among the officers who arrested porn star Stormy Daniels at Columbus’ Sirens Gentleman’s Club in 2018. In addition to this new suit, several former Kahoots dancers sued Rosser and Lancaster for unlawful arrests, claiming the officers targeted the dancers in retaliation for the club firing a police informant.

The Columbus Vice Unit was disbanded in the spring of 2018 following multiple FBI investigations into its officers’ conduct. Rosser and Lancaster are still employed by the department in other roles.

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