State liquor agents raid Friday artist Loren Naji ohio city gallery confiscate beer & wine heros Henry Senyak & joe threatened

Submitted by Quest-News-Serv... on Sat, 05/03/2014 - 16:25.
art__gallery.png

(TREMONT ART GALLERYS ALSO BREAKING-ABOVE THE LAWS) YOU CAN NOT THREATEN GOOD JOE CIMPERMAN & HENRY AND GET AWAY) - here are innuendo and threats on several facebook sites to me, and to the police including they should tag the police station.please look into which officer may have done this to put me and my 84 year old mother at risk of harm or harm to my property. I have now a known sexual predator threatening me (Tim Russo), this place is not a normal gallery it ashame that Fire and B&H did not go at the same time. He is not compliant in all these issues. Henry P. Senyak (READ THREATS BELOW)

Jeanne Gordon · Cleveland, Ohio - And every gallery IN THE WORLD (I'll limit mine to the states) serving wine at receptions without liquor licenses are breaking the liquor laws. Pony up the money for a temporary permit and all is good. Reply

State liquor agents raid Friday opening at artist Loren Naji's Ohio City gallery; confiscate beer and wine

http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/2014/05/police_raid_friday_night...

There are innuendo and threats on several facebook sites to me, and to the police including they should tag the police station. please look into which officer may have done this to put me and my 84 year old mother at risk of harm or harm to my property.
 
I have now a known sexual predator threatening me (Tim Russo), this place is not a normal gallery it ashame that Fire and B&H did not go at the same time. He is not compliant in all these issues.
 
Henry P. Senyak
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Loren Naji Loren Naji These were both Clevelands finest and State Police. Previously, I heard from a Cleveland officer that I know, that a man named Henry Senyak who lives on Scranton Rd in Tremont was complaining to authorities about my serving alcohol and having live music. So, the police came and did not allow anyone to take pictures while ordering the large crowd to empty their beer and leave my gallery. They then confiscated all my beer, wine( well over $600 worth) and tip money for the band. The can even said donations for the band! Does anyone know this Henry Senyak? I would like to talk with him and find out why he wants to close my gallery. I am only trying to improve the community through art, music, culture and fun...What is so wrong with that? I don't sell beer. I was giving it to my friends, enjoying a party. Now I will have to go to court for this. They said the beer would be used as evidence...Am I a criminal?
http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/henry-senyak/Profile?oid=2509646&h=YAQFdbx0nAQH5x_fH0QnLUmb-V8gVCcitDUcS_JcGeQYTWQ&s=1

www.clevescene.com

Northeast Ohio's Alternative Weekly
 
https://www.facebook.com/chris.seddy.5
I think the appropriate response is to graffiti the police station
 
 
https://www.facebook.com/tjrusso?fref=ufi
 
Tim Russo email joecimperman [at] gmail [dot] com and tell him stop being Henry Senyak's little bitch. Senyak has been harrassing bars and galleries like this for a decade. He lives almost a mile from Loren's. He has nothing better to do than to apparently drag Joe Cimperman around by his nuts to harass people.
 
Tim Russo Senyak fucked with the wrong gallery this time.
 
Tim Russo Plan A is email cimperman, tweet at cimperman, run cimperman up a fucking flagpole. He has been Senyak's little bitch on precisely this type of harassment for a decade.
  • https://www.facebook.com/Jessehness?fref=ufi
 
 
Tim Russo it'll be all good after i'm done with senyak

 

Undercover Police Raid Local Art Gallery During Opening Reception of 3 Local Graffiti Artists - Loren Naji’s Studio Gallery in Ohio City

by Josh Usmani

Earlier tonight, while most of Cleveland was being “Dazzled” in Playhouse Square, undercover local and state Police raided local artist Loren Naji’s Studio Gallery in Ohio City during the opening reception of Undercurrent – featuring work by 3 of the region’s most talented graffiti artists. When I arrived at the gallery, police were in the process of cataloging and confiscating all the gallery’s alcohol. The gallery’s curtains were pulled closed, and the guests were waiting on the sidewalk. After speaking with many witnesses, here’s the story the best that I understand it:

At the beginning of the reception, police arrived at the gallery claiming to be responding to a complaint of a disturbance. The reception started at 6pm, and was scheduled to conclude sometime after midnight. Witnesses said the police’s first visit was around 5:30-6:30pm – probably setting a world record for response-time. Upon their initial visit, witnesses claim that the police left with everyone under the impression that it was a “false alarm” and the situation was under control. After all, the party wasn’t even getting started yet.

However, a short time later, about half a dozen plain-clothed, undercover police arrived claiming that it was “illegal for galleries to give away alcohol”. Naji (and just about every gallery in America) serves alcohol and wine (as well as a large spread of food) at his openings. Every time I’ve been to an opening at his gallery, he’s always had a volunteer checking the younger visitors’ IDs (I distinctly remember Naji himself checking my ID on my first visit to his gallery). Galleries don’t sell alcohol – that’s illegal without a permit. However, almost every gallery serves some kind of alcoholic (and non-alcoholic) refreshments with donation jars. In tough economic times, these donations can sometimes be the difference between paying the rent and feeding yourself.

Participating artist Bob Peck asked the police if they’d be going around to all the galleries having receptions this evening (there were many). The officer then told Peck to “back off” because they knew who he was. When Peck asked the officer who they thought he was, they said his full name. “Investigating me for what?” asked Peck, and the officer just walked away.

Regular guests of the gallery claim that one of Naji’s neighbors has been calling the authorities to complain about the past three opening receptions. Naji regularly has large crowds (but nothing too out of the ordinary for Cleveland’s art community) and usually has a band playing in his back room. However, this isn’t a residential area, and there has never been any kind of incident at a reception in his gallery.

Police became agitated as witnesses began to take photos and videos of their actions. Authorities then kicked everyone out of the gallery as they cataloged every bottle of alcohol, emptied every drop of alcohol, and carried them away into an unmarked black van.

When they were finished, guests were allowed back in the gallery, and they left in 5 different, unmarked vehicles. It’s not clear exactly what the repercussions will be, but Naji said he was informed that he would have to go to court over the matter. If Naji is guilty, so is every curator and gallery professional to ever host a reception in Cleveland – myself included. Naji lost hundreds of dollars in confiscated alcohol and lost even more in potential donations. The art community is a very tight-knit, protective group, and Naji is one of our cultural leaders. I have no doubt that there will be a strong, appropriate response soon. Videos with Naji and Peck coming soon. Stay tuned as this story unfolds.

In the name of full disclosure, Naji hosted my Funny Money show back in December at 78th Street Studios. I consider him, Peck and fellow Undercurrent artist Steve Ehret to be friends.

Loren Naji Studio Gallery
2138 W 25th St
Cleveland, OH 44113
 

WIN CASH with the FREE Cool Cleveland mobile app for iPhone or Android.

Share
 
 

One Response to “Undercover Police Raid Local Art Gallery During Opening Reception of 3 Local Graffiti Artists”

  1. Garry Kanter says:

    The Cleveland Heights police did something very similar to a t-shirt & shoe store on Coventry that was having an artist reception. Late 2013, early 2014.

    I think they had the LCB with them.

     

Leave a Reply

 

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website

http://www.coolcleveland.com/blog/2014/05/undercover-police-raid-local-art-gallery-during-opening-reception-of-3-local-graffiti-artists/

 

 

 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

( categories: )

Tim Russo- Henry Senyak threats

Wow!   I thought Tim Russo was running for county executive.

Besides being an attempted child molester, he is also making threats.   And he wants to be county executive.  what is wrong with this pervert?

 

Tim Russo email joecimperman [at] gmail [dot] com and tell him stop being Henry Senyak's little bitch. Senyak has been harrassing bars and galleries like this for a decade. He lives almost a mile from Loren's. He has nothing better to do than to apparently drag Joe Cimperman around by his nuts to harass people.
29 minutes ago · Edited · Like · 1

 

 
Tim Russo Senyak fucked with the wrong gallery this time.
 
Tim Russo Plan A is email cimperman, tweet at cimperman, run cimperman up a fucking flagpole. He has been Senyak's little bitch on precisely this type of harassment for a decade.
  • https://www.facebook.com/Jessehness?fref=ufi
 
 
Tim Russo it'll be all good after i'm done with senyak

 

********************************************************************************************

The pervert is accusing Henry Senyak for being the complainant, but Commander Sulzer's email details numerous complaints from others:

 

From: Sulzer, Keith 

Sent: Tuesday, March 12, 2013 2:28 PM

To: Eric Wobser (EWobser [at] ohiocity [dot] org); Jeff Verespej (JVerespej [at] ohiocity [dot] org); 'Joe Cimperman' (joecimperman [at] gmail [dot] com)

Subject: 2138 W 25 - LOREN NAJI STUDIO



ALL,



I RECEIVED SOME COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS LOCATION FROM OHIO CITY RESIDENTS AND SOUTH OF LORAIN BLOCK CLUB MEMBERS. APPARENTLY THIS STUDIO IS HAVING CONCERTS, EVENTS, WITH ALCOHOL. I DON’T REMEMBER SIGNING OFF ON ANY PERMITS FOR ALCOHOL. THE COMPLAINTS ARE THAT THERE MAY BE A COVER CHARGE, ALCOHOL BEING SERVED, OVERCROWDING, OPEN CONTAINER, IMPROPER PERMITS, ZONING VIOLATIONS, ETC. REPORTEDLY, AFTER OR DURING THE BRITE WINTER FEST, PATRONS OF THIS STUDIO WERE DRINKING IN THE VOSS PARKING LOT. CAN YOU SET UP A MEETING WITH THESE PEOPLE OR AT LEAST GIVE ME SOME INCITE ON WHAT IS GOING ON HERE.

 

********************************************************************************************

All this commotion & threats, along with the studio owner alleging that he did not know that a permit was needed, yet the studio owner applied for a permit for the exact same reason in early 2013.

He knew a permit was needed in 2013, and he applied for the required permit:

50043090001 
LAND STUDIO INC 
F 2138 W 25TH ST
CLEVELAND, OHIO
44113 CLEVELAND CUYAHOGA 02/16/2013 02/16/2013 02/07/2013 
 
COPY of Permit:
 
:016_crop.jpg
019_crop.jpg
 

In 2014, the studio owner attempted to get away without obtaining the necessary permit.  His attempt did not work. 

 

Speaking of permits, the studio owner does not have the necessary permit for the art gallery either:

 

"Court records show the city cited Naji Tuesday with a building code violation, accusing him of not obtaining a permit to establish the 4,500-square-foot space as an art gallery."

 http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2014/05/state_agents_raid_west_side_ar.html#incart_m-rpt-1

 

 " On several occasions, Commader Keith Sulzer spoke with Mr Naji and advised him. He sent ofiicers under his command to follow up and check and up. It is a shame that Mr. Naji ignored good advice in regards to his liquor issues but most importantly that he is not authorized to operate his business legally at this location without a Certificate of Occupancy.", Henry Senyak.

 

This is a fire & safety hazard. Folks in the art gallery- drinking alcoholic beverages and packed like sardines:

:006_crop.jpg

 

Below is a photo of SOME of the alcoholic beverages.  The rest won't fit in the limited size photo that is able to be displayed here.

The "Suggested Donation" jar is located right by the stock of beer & wine and doesn't mention donations for a band:

 

003_crop.jpg

 

The last legal Certificate of Occupancy was issued in 2005 for a single business located at 1836 West 25th Street.

The occupancy permit was for a coffee shop with a legal occupant load of 15 people max.  When the gallary was raided, the plain dealer estimated the crowd at 100 to 150 people.

 

012_crop.jpg
 

 

 Commander Keith Sulzer notified Councilman Joe Cimperman and Ohio City Community Development of the complaints relative to the art gallery over one year ago.

Either Cimperman and Ohio City  ignored the notification and allowed the problem to escalate, or the owner ignored the notification.

One would think that an e-mail from the police commander would be high priority on the 'To Do List" - not an issue to ignore for over one year.

Now Councilman Cimperman is taking immediate action to help Mr. Naji.  Cimperman also has an upcoming fundraiser.

After Joe Cimperman becomes a hero for saving the art gallery, the art community will donate some art for a raffle and stuff Cimperman's pockets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* My blogs expressing my Freedom of Speech Rights, especially on matters of public concern, are my opinion and not the opinion of my friends, family or employer*

Henry speaks out

I would like to thank the many people that had spoken to me during and after the Second District Community Relations Committee this evening. Thank you for your support and understanding. Thank you for understanding the rule of law, thank you for understanding the real problem with 2138 West 25th St. not the specter of riling up other gallery owners and artists that have a legitimate legal use and Occupancy Permit by keeping them all fired up that the State Boogy Man is coming to cite them for Alcohol violations. 

Captain Keith Sulzer spoke with people after the meeting, I asked him if he was willing to speak with anyone that has a willingness to contact him to find out the truth about how many times either him or his officers have spoken to or went to 2138 West 25th to advise Mr. Naji what he was going was illegal. Bot on the Alcohol issue, but most importantly not having a Occupancy Permit and putting patrons at risk. You can contact Keith Sulzer via email or by calling him at the Community Policing Division. CPD does not have a open case. 

B&H and the State agents will not comment on the cases because of the pending court cases. I spoken with some of the direct neighbors to 2138 over the weekend. I forwarded them emails. They also committed to contact Keith Sulzer.

This is not about Mr. Naji and Tim Russo stirring up a base of people or a popularity contest. This is about the rule of law. You remember what happen to the two judges when Frank Russo contacted them to ask for influence. The same applies with local politicians. 

Take the time to learn the laws and fire codes of the State of Ohio, and Codified Ordnances of the City of Cleveland. This is not a need for a parking solution, the parking is needed because he needs a BZA variance to provide live entertainment. 

This is about a occupant load of over 99 people, please do not insult and ask for 99 when we have seen hundreds inside. 

To actually attain the occupancy permit, you not only have to navigate many different tracks at City Hall, but the ultimate is getting the fire department to sign off after a fire protection system is installed, exit signs, removal of all flammable chairs and sheet materials, installing a sprinkler system, no blocking of fire exits. Plus the State Fire Marshal is watching the City of Cleveland in how this moves forward especially if local politicians and community groups are asking the City officials for favors or to look the other way, or continuing to hold events without legal occupancy. 

It is time to man up and admit the police gave you heads up at least six times in the last year, B&H tried to help you at least on four occasions but its just all my fault. Logical people understand why this happened., the answer is do not deny just comply.

Why is it that when law-breakers are caught - they cry wolffie

How many times did we go through this in Tremont? What astounds me is that Cimperman and everybody else has known for quite some time that this old building did not have a CO, no fire code inspection,no live entertainment permit, no liquor permit, no sprinkler system, and yet, now that the authorities are fed up with warnings, this guy is crying like a baby and the good councilman wants to sweep it under the rug. How long does he get to dance without paying the piper?