Stimmelators Gentlemens Club owner Sam Stimmel and his attorney, Doug Bernacchi failed to appear for a court hearing scheduled for 8:30 a.m. today, though Stimmel had not been ordered by the courts to appear. On Nov. 7, 2013, Circuit Court Judge Michael W. Reed granted a temporary hold on at least one of Stimmel’s financial accounts at the request of Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Hampton. Stimmel has not been able to use the accounts for business transactions since. Today’s hearing was set following a May 16 motion filed by Bernacchi, on behalf of Stimmel, to proceed on appeal for the immediate release of those funds and financial accounts and a hearing was scheduled this morning in front of Circuit Court Special Judge Duane G. Huffer. No future hearings are currently scheduled and according to the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office, Judge Huffer will decide how to proceed with the case. Stimmel was arrested, along with four other employees on Oct. 30th of 2013, following a three-month investigation into alleged corrupt practices at the business. Stimmel was preliminarily charged with corrupt business influence and promoting prostitution.
