9 Investigates: Illegal club will face $500 a day fine

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — After more than a year of 9 Investigates reports by Channel 9's Karla Ray, Orange County Code Enforcement ordered the owner Wednesday of a suspected illegal club to shut down or pay up.

The suspected illegal club has operated out of a residential neighborhood near Boggy Creek Road in Orange County.

Neighbors of Club Hacienda de la Familia have been complaining to code enforcement and Orange County Commissioners for more than a year.

PREVIOUS STORIES: 9 Investigates: County shuts down nuisance party house in Boggy Creek

“Our kids have to walk home through happy hour traffic,” neighbor Jeff Karas testified Wednesday in front of the Code Enforcement Board.

Code Enforcement officers presented evidence to prove that a cease order filed months ago accomplished nothing. The club operator has been advertising weekend parties on Facebook ever since.

The club has until Sept. 26 to shut down or face fines of $500 per day. The owner could also face another $500 per day fine for illegal signage.

“$500 is not going to phase them. They’re going to be up and running and just pay the fine,” neighbor Alice Karas said.

In order to operate a social club in Orange County, owners must apply for and receive a special permit. The club operator’s attorney told the Code Enforcement Board she plans to help the owner through the process.

She wouldn’t tell Eyewitness News whether the club owner will respect the Code Enforcement Board order in the meantime.

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