Wife Of Strip Club Owner Cuffed, 'Humiliated' During His Arrest: Suit

OLD BRIDGE, NJ — The wife of a Sayreville strip club owner facing prostitution and racketeering charges was handcuffed for several hours while barely clothed as multiple police officers arrested her husband and searched her home, according to a new lawsuit filed in Middlesex County court.

Brooke Acciardi, 24, was five months pregnant and dressed in "skimpy" pajamas at 7 a.m. on June 14, 2022, when police broke down the door of her home and arrested her husband, Anthony Acciardi Jr., the lawsuit claims.

Police then handcuffed her for approximately six hours and made her sit in a chair as they "tore the house apart," court documents said.

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Anthony Acciardi Jr. is one of several people charged during an investigation into Club XXXV and the Acciardi family. Sayreville Police raided the business in 2021 following numerous complaints of prostitution occurring there.

For several years now, prosecutors have alleged the strip club is actually a brothel and "family-operated prostitution ring," police said last year.

Club owner Anthony Acciardi Sr., his wife Doreen Acciardi, and another family member, Stephen Acciardi, have also been charged.

Brooke Acciardi has not been charged.

"Brooke Acciardi had no connection with 35 Club, did not participate in any business venture with her husband, and was never suspected of, charged with, or indicted for any crime," the lawsuit filed Tuesday stated.

According to the lawsuit, police broke down the door and tossed a flash grenade into the house before rushing in and throwing Anthony Acciardi Jr. to the floor. During the raid, Brooke Acciardi was dressed only in bedclothes — a tank top and "very short" pants, the suit claims.

As her husband lay on the floor, a male police officer pushed a "terrified" Brooke against the wall of her living room and searched over her clothing, court documents said.

In the hours that followed, police restrained Brooke Acciardi with a zip tie and handcuffs, the suit claimed. They repeatedly ignored her pleas to let her change clothes, court documents said.

"At one point, (police) made her move her car from the driveway to the public street, forcing her to walk half-dressed through the street in front of the many neighbors who had gathered to watch what was happening," the lawsuit states.

According to the lawsuit, Brooke Acciardi sat in "forced confinement" and watched “terrified and humiliated” as police dragged her husband from the house and into a police car.

The lawsuit named several agencies as defendants, including the Sayreville and Old Bridge Police Departments. The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office and several police officers were also listed as defendants, according to court documents.

According to court documents, Brooke Acciardi claimed the defendants violated her civil rights.

The lawsuit did not specify an amount for damages.