NYC Rihanna-fight club could be shut down after 14 charges filed

NYC Rihanna-fight club could be shut down after 14 charges filed

23/6 NEW YORK -- The New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) filed 14 charges against the trendy Manhattan nightclub where Drake and Chris Brown had a bloody throw-down over Rihanna -- and the place could soon be shut down.

The charges against W.i.P., and the Greenhouse club where it is located, include one count of not stopping the bloody June 14 bottle brawl that started when Drake allegedly sent Brown a note, taunting the hip-hop star by saying, "I am f*ck*ng the love of your life."

The bar was slapped Friday with seven other charges for other fights, noise violations and two drug-related incidents -- at least one where marijuana was found at the bar.

"They're absolutely in jeopardy of losing their licenses," SLA spokesman William Crowley said. "They have a number of prior charges, too, so that comes into play when we're looking at taking action."

Club reps, who were unavailable for comment Friday, must reply to the charges by July 11.

The nightclub on Varick Street previously was charged with selling alcohol to minors, violating noise and fire ordinances and having an unlicensed security guard on the premises.

In one incident, on Sept. 26, 2010, a security guard sold marijuana to an undercover agent, records show. The same guard -- who was openly smoking a blunt -- said he also had cocaine for sale but tricked the officer with a closed package that contained only weed.

On June 15, the hip-hop stars and their entourages fought with fists and bottles, injuring at least eight people -- including Brown and NBA star Tony Parker.

The San Antonio Spurs guard, whose cornea was scratched, filed a $20 million lawsuit against the club's owners Thursday, charging that they should have known better than to let the dangerous duo hang out in close proximity.

Parker's lawyer said offering bottle services to both hip-hop camps at the same time is like "throwing gasoline on the flames." The suit does not name Brown or Drake.

Witnesses and sources said the brawl was fueled by Drake's note at about 4:00am local time, which came after Brown, 23, sent his rival's table a bottle of pricey champagne.

Brown threw the note on the floor, a witness said.

Drake, 25, and a posse that included rapper Meek Mill and all their bodyguards then walked over to the table where a shirtless Brown was seated.