The county Democratic Club, in defending its charges, has suggested that the difference between Dean’s establishment and a textbook “strip club” would be in word only. (They believe Dean would duck the label through the use of pasties and g-strings.) But Browne has been aggressive in his denials: “If this person does something that contravenes the letter or spirit of the restriction [on nude dancing] then he should be held accountable for it,” Browne said, adding that he may contemplate legal action if the allegations in the letter are not retracted.

Scannell has tried to distance himself from the flare up. Although he told the Herald that he felt a vote in support of building a strip club would be “despicable,” he disavowed any knowledge of the letter at the center of the controversy. “I did not write the letter. In fact, I did not even receive the letter,” Scannell said. He added that he did not know the letter’s authors, Kevin Milano and Vincent Ciro.