Colorado Strip Club Mogul Indicted in Sweeping New York Bribery Scandal

A prominent figure in Colorado's adult entertainment scene, Michael 'Candy' Van Leest, owner of several popular strip clubs across the state, finds himself at the center of a federal indictment. Van Leest, 58, has been charged in a Manhattan federal court with an elaborate scheme to bribe New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) officials, allegedly to keep his New York establishments' liquor licenses intact despite a history of violations.

The charges against Van Leest, who operates 'Candy's Palace' and 'Candy's Showroom' in Colorado Springs and 'Gentlemen's Club' in Denver, stem from a period between 2011 and 2015.

During this time, prosecutors allege he orchestrated a complex bribery operation targeting his upstate New York venues, specifically 'Candy's' and 'City Lights' in Poughkeepsie, and 'Lickity Split' in Buffalo.

According to the indictment, Van Leest is accused of paying off a former SLA commissioner and two former SLA investigators.

The illicit payments were reportedly designed to ensure favorable treatment for his clubs, shielding them from license revocations or severe penalties despite alleged incidents of prostitution, illegal drug sales, and violent assaults occurring on the premises.

The legal framework of the alleged scheme is multifaceted, with Van Leest not only accused of facilitating the bribes but also of complicity in a sophisticated money laundering operation to conceal the illicit transactions.

He now faces serious felony charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, and money laundering conspiracy. Should he be convicted, the maximum sentence for bribery is a decade in federal prison, while money laundering conspiracy carries a potential maximum of 20 years.

Following his arrest and initial appearance in Manhattan federal court, Van Leest was released on a substantial $250,000 bond, a testament to the gravity of the charges he now confronts.

This isn't Van Leest's first brush with legal scrutiny.

His Colorado operations have also faced challenges, including a 2012 lawsuit from the city of Colorado Springs over public nuisance claims at Candy's Palace, which was ultimately settled. That same year, the Colorado Department of Revenue investigated license violations at his Colorado Springs clubs, leading to temporary closures and significant fines.

Adding another layer to the narrative, one of Van Leest's New York establishments, 'City Lights' (previously known as 'Candy's'), gained notoriety by being featured in an HBO documentary exploring the adult entertainment industry.

This connection underscores the high-profile nature of his business dealings.

As this federal case unfolds, it casts a long shadow over Van Leest's extensive empire, highlighting the intense scrutiny placed on the adult entertainment industry and the legal consequences of alleged corruption.