Mayor Took First Complaints About "Swinger" Party Site

During an interview at on April 5, Mayor Joseph M. Polisena confirmed that he received the initial complaints about , the site for a "swinger" party held April 2.

"We take every complaint seriously, providing I talk to somebody with a pulse," Polisena explained. "I asked the Police Chief to look into it, the men and women of his department did their due diligence, and they were successful in shutting it down."

Polisena said one complaint, in particular, led him to refer the matter to the police department about a week before the undercover operation that led to the arrest of the hall's owner.

"I got a call from a person, not a resident, whose daughter was visiting; she was walking by and the patrons were calling her to come in," Polisena recalled. "This person was the father of the girl, who is a minor — when I heard it was a minor, I saw red. When you go after young children, I have a problem."

The caller apparently also tried to enter the hall, but "they threw him out," Polisena said.

The mayor said the party was not allowed by any license held by Sebastian's.

"They were operating illegally," Polisena said. "We don't condone that kind of entertainment."

Polisena also explained the town has taken several steps to curb adult entertainment, including a 1997 ordinance — based on legislation he sponsored while a state Senator — meant to distance the town from its past as a center of strip clubs and nude shows.

"That's Johnston 40 or 50 years ago," Polisena said. "That's not Johnston of today."

Town Councilor Ernest Pitochelli (I-Dist. 2), whose district includes Sebastian's, said during a phone interview that he's "doing research" on the hall in the event that the police request a show cause hearing from the Town Council, which could lead to a revocation of the licenses.

"I'm not a happy camper," Pitochelli said, adding, "I'd like to see a public hearing, rather than a show cause hearing held in executive session."

A check of the licenses in place on April 2 for Sebastian's Party Place shows that the event hall and catering business held a restaurant license, a type BV liquor license, and an entertainment license — but no certification that would have allowed the "swinger" party held there that night.

Town Clerk Vincent Baccari confirmed the licenses that were in effect on the hall the night of the police operation, which resulted in the arrest of Steven Santilli, the owner of Sebastian's.

Johnston and State Police shut down the party after undercover officers reportedly witnessed sex acts and nudity during the event. Police charged Santilli with violating the town's prohibition on adult entertainment, and with a felony count of promoting an obscene show, related to online announcements of the event.

The Town Charter, available for viewing online, sets regulations for adult entertainment under General Provisions Article XIII and Administrative Legislation Chapter 83.