Scores Boss Richard Goldring Pulls a Larry Flynt

Embattled Scores owner Richard Goldring is suing the city and State Liquor Authority (S.L.A.) in federal court, alleging that the government's recent crackdown on his two Manhattan strip clubs violates his First Amendment rights.

In court papers, his latest attorney called last month's revocation of Mr. Goldring's liquor license at Scores West "a circumstance intended to terminate in Scores West any future First Amendment expressive entertainment and to chill the principals of Scores East and Scores West in the exercise of their First Amendment right to provide such entertainment."

The S.L.A. has threatened to yank the licence at Scores East as well because of state rules prohibiting a revoked operator from running another venue. Mr. Goldring's name is on both licenses.

Meanwhile, the New York Post recently reported that the since-shuttered 10,000-square-foot Scores West could be for sale for as much as $40 million.

Scores East is still open, much to the delight of a few NBA stars.