HONOLULU — A federal lawsuit says the Honolulu Liquor Commission and the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is discriminating against a Honolulu LGBTQ nightclub and its community.
The owners of nightclub Scarlet Honolulu said in the lawsuit filed Monday that investigators with the agencies have a history of harassment and discrimination against the business and employees.
The lawsuit named four specific investigators that have allegedly targeted the nightclub for unfounded inspections and violations.
In one instance, the lawsuit said, an investigator assaulted nightclub security staff and an owner.
The lawsuit was filed jointly by the nightclub and Gay Island Guide, an online magazine. The lawsuit says the magazine published a story about the assault naming the inspectors in the case. The lawsuit says the same investigators then shut down an event organized by the publication.
The lawsuit said the club was inspected disproportionately more often than other clubs not associated with the LGBTQ community.
The Honolulu Liquor Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The state Attorney General’s office said they had not been served with the complaint and had not reviewed the lawsuit.
A spokesperson for Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said the office was working on a response.