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Westmoreland Co. strip club owner, 83, fights to keep business open

NORTH HUNTINGDON, Pa. — The 83-year-old owner of the North Huntingdon strip club Gloria's is fighting to keep her business open.

There were a few smirks and a couple of eye rolls in court Monday as the district attorney tried to close down a strip club that has been in business for the last 30 years.

The civil case will determine if Gloria's is a nuisance bar or not. 

Gloria Brugnoli might not be the person you would expect to see running a strip club, but the 83-year-old started Gloria's Cantina in the 1970s and is trying to keep it open after allegations of prostitution and drugs.

Channel 11 first met Brugnoli about a year and a half ago after a shooting at her cantina.
 
Her lounge is once again in the news after undercover officers told the judge Monday they bought drugs at the bar and saw female dancers offering sex acts for extra money.  Brugnoli said she didn't know that was going on under her watch.

"I'm sure I'm not guilty.  That's all I have to say.  I know I'm not guilty because I don't believe in smoking cigarettes let alone that funny stuff," said Brugnoli.

According to Brugnoli's attorney, she did not hire the dancers. They volunteered their time and got to keep the tips.
The judge has not yet made a ruling.

The cantina remains padlocked by the sheriff's office.