The Club 180 lawsuit — a $10 million federal class action filed in April 2025 against the west Omaha strip club and more than a dozen associated individuals and entities — was dismissed with prejudice on June 8, 2026, and the plaintiffs were later ordered to pay $10,475 in attorney fees to one of the defendants. The complaint, styled Streblow et al. v. Club 180 et al. (Case No. 8:25-cv-00241), had accused the club of racketeering, sex trafficking, drug distribution, wage theft, and wrongful death.1GovInfo. Streblow et al v. Club 180 et al, Case Details2PACER Monitor. Streblow et al v. Club 180 et al, Case Summary
The Club at the Center of the Case
Club 180 operates near 180th and Q Streets in west Omaha, in a building that previously housed Two Fine Irishmen Bar and Grill. It is an all-nude, bring-your-own-bottle establishment and does not hold a liquor license. The location — next to a high school, a Montessori school, and residential and commercial properties — generated neighborhood complaints from the moment it opened. Omaha City Attorney Matt Kuhse said the property sat in a commercially zoned area and that erotic dancing is protected by the First Amendment, limiting the city’s ability to act.3WOWT. Omaha Bar Turned Strip Club Causes Concern Amongst Neighbors
Who Filed the Suit and Who Was Named
The complaint was filed on April 1, 2025, by New York-based attorney Evan Spencer, with an amended version following on April 21. It was brought under the federal civil RICO statute, the Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and various state laws.4Club Omaha Media. Amended Class Action Complaint, Streblow et al. v. Club 180 et al.
The plaintiff group was unusually broad. Chuck Streblow, a former security guard, served as lead plaintiff. He was joined by dancer Kimberly Hernandez and 25 Jane Doe dancers, seven John Doe security guards, and up to 100 John and Jane Doe customers. Kristen Rozmiarek sued as the widow of a customer who died after a crash following a visit to the club. Sarah Houston represented neighboring residents and businesses, and Imagination Industries, Inc., doing business as The American Dream Bar, joined with its owner Casey Rowe as a competing establishment claiming unfair business practices.4Club Omaha Media. Amended Class Action Complaint, Streblow et al. v. Club 180 et al.
On the defense side, Matthew Longcor was identified as the club’s owner and operator through AM314, LLC. His wife, Miroslava Kotsan, was described as a co-founder who allegedly recruited and managed dancers. The complaint named Eric Havermann and James Pull as “silent partners,” along with Janae Balt, Octavia, and Michael Alan Beene. Two entities were also named: 7 Oaks Investment Corp., the property manager, and Throwback Empire, LLC, doing business as Krush Ultra Lounge, an Omaha nightclub owned by Tony Pham.4Club Omaha Media. Amended Class Action Complaint, Streblow et al. v. Club 180 et al.1GovInfo. Streblow et al v. Club 180 et al, Case Details
What the Complaint Alleged
Sex Trafficking and Prostitution
The complaint alleged Club 180 functioned as a hub for prostitution and interstate sex trafficking. Dancers were said to be coerced or incentivized to perform sex acts with customers and club associates in exchange for money and cocaine, and to have been transported to Florida, Nevada, and Iowa for prostitution. One dancer quoted in the complaint said she was physically forced into a car by Eric Havermann during a Florida trip after refusing to have sex with him.4Club Omaha Media. Amended Class Action Complaint, Streblow et al. v. Club 180 et al.
Drug Distribution
According to the complaint, cocaine was regularly sold and used at the club, with Havermann accused of supplying it and management instructing dancers to confine use to restrooms and back rooms away from cameras. The complaint referenced video allegedly showing Longcor providing cocaine to a customer and photos of Pull using cocaine around dancers.4Club Omaha Media. Amended Class Action Complaint, Streblow et al. v. Club 180 et al.5KETV. Omaha Club 180 Lawsuit
Wage Theft
Dancers alleged they were misclassified as independent contractors while the club controlled their schedules through group text messages, barred them from working elsewhere, and fined them for missed shifts. A “house fee” of $35 to $200 per shift, combined with inconsistent business, allegedly left dancers earning less than minimum wage. The plaintiffs asserted dancers were owed $13.50 per hour for all hours worked, and that the club issued tax forms to male security guards but not to dancers.4Club Omaha Media. Amended Class Action Complaint, Streblow et al. v. Club 180 et al.
Wrongful Death
The lawsuit tied Club 180 to two fatal crashes. It alleged that 35-year-old Gordon Brummel was served at least 15 shots of hard liquor by a dancer, that a security guard saw a dancer “put something in Mr. Brummel’s mouth” that night, and that Brummel then crashed into a concrete bridge support near 204th and West Dodge Road on September 15, 2024. He was ejected from the vehicle and died two days later.6KETV. Omaha Club Lawsuit Includes a Wrongful Death Allegation7WOWT. One Dead in Accident in West Omaha, Police Say The complaint also cited Joshua Kuhl, who allegedly was overserved at the club early on February 18, 2024, then crashed with a blood alcohol level of 0.192 and killed 69-year-old Gary Smith of Norfolk, Nebraska. Kuhl was sentenced to 32 to 40 years for motor vehicle homicide; news coverage of that sentencing did not mention Club 180.8KETV. Douglas County Man Sentenced in Fatal Drunk Driving Crash9News Channel Nebraska. Joshua Kuhl Sentenced Up to 40 Years in Connection to Fatal Accident
Longcor disputed the wrongful death claims, telling reporters the club does not serve alcohol and therefore cannot overserve anyone, and that he had no prior knowledge of the Brummel crash.6KETV. Omaha Club Lawsuit Includes a Wrongful Death Allegation
Public Nuisance
Neighbors alleged the club created a nuisance, with indoor music of 90 to 100 decibels, outdoor levels above 70 decibels, and at least 48 calls to 911. The complaint said security guards had drawn guns on multiple occasions, that bullets were found in the parking lot, and that the building, with a permitted occupancy of 85, regularly held hundreds. It further alleged the club sold alcohol illegally without a license and failed to carry the required $2 million in liability insurance.4Club Omaha Media. Amended Class Action Complaint, Streblow et al. v. Club 180 et al.
Unfair Competition and the Krush Connection
The American Dream Bar and Casey Rowe alleged Club 180 illegally poached their dancers and customers, causing more than $200,000 in lost revenue.4Club Omaha Media. Amended Class Action Complaint, Streblow et al. v. Club 180 et al. The complaint also cast Club 180 and Krush Ultra Lounge as part of a connected enterprise, alleging the two venues cross-promoted events and shared customers and that Krush hosted high-stakes poker games involving drugs, Club 180 dancers, and minors. Tony Pham denied every accusation, calling them “slander and defamation” and saying his business had nothing to do with Club 180.6KETV. Omaha Club Lawsuit Includes a Wrongful Death Allegation
How the Case Ended
Senior Judge Joseph F. Bataillon handled the case with Magistrate Judge Ryan C. Carson. On May 23, 2025, Bataillon denied the plaintiffs’ motion for a temporary restraining order to shut Club 180 down, finding the claims, including the wrongful death allegations, did not support the emergency relief being requested. The court also denied a motion for alternate service and held a preliminary injunction request pending until defendants were properly served.10GovInfo. Memorandum and Order, Streblow et al. v. Club 180 et al. On June 2, 2025, the court denied a motion to seal an exhibit and ordered a provisional seal removed.11Justia. Order on Motion to Seal, Streblow et al. v. Club 180 et al.
The following months brought procedural disputes and the gradual dismissal of individual defendants. A motion to compel mediation was denied in December 2025. On April 2, 2026, the court sanctioned the plaintiffs for improperly serving a subpoena, granting in part a motion by James Pull.12Leagle. Streblow v. Club 180, 8:25CV241
On June 8, 2026, Judge Bataillon adopted the magistrate judge’s findings and recommendations, overruled the plaintiffs’ objections, granted Pull’s objection, and dismissed the entire case with prejudice. Judgment was entered for the defendants and all pending motions were denied as moot.2PACER Monitor. Streblow et al v. Club 180 et al, Case Summary12Leagle. Streblow v. Club 180, 8:25CV241
A Separate Federal Case That Mentions Club 180
Club 180 also surfaces in a distinct federal prosecution that should not be confused with the civil case. In September 2025, Hobert “Hobie” Rupe, the longtime executive director of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission, was indicted on charges including honest services fraud, wire fraud, and extortion. Prosecutors alleged Rupe accepted payments, free entry, cash for lap dances, and sexual favors from employees of Lincoln strip clubs owned by Brent Zywiec in exchange for overlooking liquor license violations, and that he tipped Zywiec off about investigations into competing clubs, naming Club 180 and Club Omaha among those he reported on. Both Rupe and Zywiec pleaded not guilty.13Nebraska Examiner. Ex-Liquor Commission Director, Strip Club Co-Owner Each Plead Not Guilty14Tucson.com. Ex-Nebraska Liquor Control Official Protected Strip Clubs in Exchange for Favors Club 180 itself is not a defendant in that case.