News Analysis: How Did Sebastian's Run Afoul Of The Law?

Following the undercover police investigation that led to the arrest of Steven Santilli, owner of , for hosting what police described as a "swinger" party on April 2, one question raised by writers on the JohnstonPatch comment board is: What reason did police have to close down the event?

The answer is that Johnston Code of Ordinances Chapter 91-5 (read the ordinance here) specifically prohibits nudity in any business that holds a town liquor license; Sebastian's held a class BV license allowing the sale of alcohol, a restaurant license, and an entertainment license.

During an interview announcing Santilli's arrest, Johnston Police Deputy Chief David DeCesare explained that two undercover police — a female officer from Johnston and a male officer from the State Police — posed as a couple and attended the event to "see exactly what was going on."

The undercover officers observed a "hot body" contest for men, where "a woman performed oral sex on the winner," DeCesare explained.

After witnessing a wet t-shirt contest for women, one of the officers called in a team of police waiting outside, he added.

"Leading up to the raid, every female contestant had exposed their breasts," DeCesare said, a violation of the town's prohibition on nudity at liquor license-holding businesses under Ch. 91-5.

In a follow-up interview, DeCesare also sought to clarify what he termed as "confusion" about the nature of the event.

"This was not a private party — it was a business that was open for anyone to walk in off the street and pay the $25 cover charge, like our detectives did," he explained. "And while they were there, no one told them that this would be a swinger party, and that if it was something they weren't comfortable with, they may not want to stay."

Police also charged Santilli with a state felony count of hosting an event in violaton of Rhode Island Code 11-31-1, "Circulation of obscene publications and shows."

In addition to the nudity ban, Johnston has restrictions on adult entertainment under Ordinance Chapter 83 that prohibit contact between customers and performers, and sale, consumption, or possession of alcohol on the premises.