It seems there is a new development in the ongoing drama that is Stimmelator’s Gentleman’s Club.

Some may recall, at the December 2014 meeting of the Kosciusko County Alcohol and Tobacco Commission Sam Stimmel and his attorney, Jeff McKean, appeared before the board regarding a renewal of its liquor license with violation.

The renewal was denied unanimously, but the local board’s decision was overturned at the state level. “That irritated the whole board,” says ATC member Elim Smith, who notes that in his seven years on the ATC, he’s seen the state overturn all of the local board’s denials.

Smith says that just after the decision to grant Stimmelators its renewal, the members of the state alcohol and tobacco board resigned. Smith has been corresponding with the state board looking for answers regarding the renewal and resignations, but he says he hasn’t received information yet.

Here’s where it gets weird. Also at that December meeting, it was announced that Don Carlos Gonzalez, Nappanee, was taking over ownership of the club. Dino Zurzolo, owner and operator ShangriLa ShowClub in Fort Wayne, told the board he had given Stimmel $25,000 as a down payment to take over ownership of the club.

At the time, it was stated that Gonzalez offered a considerably higher amount for the club. Zurzolo filed a breach of contract with Stimmel.

Appearing alongside Gonzalez was Dharmesh Patel, a friend of Gonzalez who operates two Hampton Inn Hotels in Elkhart County, would helping manage and finance the business. This week, Patel was reportedly named the new owner of Stimmelator’s Gentleman’s Club.

Smith says that Gonzalez lost interest in owning the club so Patel stepped in. “It is a total mess,” he says.

This isn’t the first time that the club has changed hands. Smith recalled Stimmel selling the business to his daughter, Michelle Stimmel, several years ago. The elder Stimmel ended up taking the business back over, though he told the ATC that he would not.

Chances are more light will be shed on these situations once word comes up from the statehouse.

Related Articles: Stimmel Now Charged With Four Felonies; Renewal For Stimmelator’s Alcohol License Seems Unlikely; Prostitution Raid At Stimmelators