Famed brothel is set to reopen - but can they use the name?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.One of the most famous brothels in the American West is set to reopen, five years after it was shut down by the federal authorities. But just days before the establishment in the Nevada desert once again opens to offer its charms, it is far from clear what it will be called.
For years, the Mustang Ranch had a legendary reputation as a free-wheeling establishment that lured the lonely, the lascivious and the downright desperate from across the region and beyond. Books have been written about the place and the women who have worked there since it was set up by the colourful Joe Conforte in 1967. In 1971, after a series of courtroom struggles, it became the first of Nevada's many legal brothels.
The 104-room Mustang Ranch was shut down five years ago and the property seized by the authorities after its owners were convicted of racketeering. Since then the local county has granted a licence to Lance Gilman, the owner of the Wild Horse Resort and Spa, to open a second brothel east of Reno, but there is a legal argument as to whether he will be allowed to call it the Mustang Ranch.
Mr Gilman argues that he has every right to, pointing out that the government seized the original and padlocked the doors. He bought it from the authorities on eBay for $145,000 (£76,000) and moved all of the brothel's buildings to the Wild Horse site. He says the name should come with the property.
Others do not agree. Oscar Williams, the owner of Ambient Entertainment of Reno, claims to have the rights to the Mustang Ranch trademark for clothing and other merchandise, and David Burgess, the owner of the Old Bridge Ranch, also objects to the use of the name. His brothel is located next to the former Mustang Ranch site.
When he retired from the business in 1991, Mr Conforte estimated that during his 36 years in the brothel business - the Mustang Ranch was not his first venture - his workers had served and satisfied more than 1.5 million customers. When the tax authorities came looking for unpaid monies, he moved to Brazil.
Alexia Albert, a Harvard medical student, spent time at the brothel speaking to the women for a public health survey. Her work was published as Brothel: Mustang Ranch and its Women.
The decision on what Mr Gilman's new establishment can call itself will be made by the Storey Country Commission. It has postponed the decision until its next meeting, later this month.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments