Three Central EP Bars Shut Down, Linked To Gangs
Three bars in central El Paso have been forced to close their doors after the El Paso County Attorney’s Office confirmed their affiliations to the violent Barrio Azteca gang.
The Golden Nugget Bar, located at 5711 Trowbridge; the Doll House Bar, located at 5715 Trowbridge; and the George Washington Lounge, located at 3900 Montana, were all facing contempt charges for violating court orders stemming from a nuisance abatement lawsuit filed by the County Attorney’s Office.
According to the County Attorney’s website, TABC approached the El Paso County Attorney’s Office to seek restraining orders and injunctions against the three bars.
The bars were temporarily shut down last year in August 2014 after a judge granted temporary restraining orders ruling the establishments be immediately closed until a court date could be set.
In September 2014, the three bars were allowed to re-open after agreeing to a court order setting certain conditions for them to operate, including not violating the TABC and Texas Nuisance laws, in addition to taking affirmative steps to curb criminal activity in their bars.
TABC continued to monitor the bars in an effort to ensure compliance with the court orders and other state laws. Investigators found the three bars were continuing to engage in criminal activity and had violated the court ordered agreement. Based on the investigation, the bars were all in violation and forced to close their doors.
