HARTFORD, Conn — Hartford police are renewing their investigation into a popular city nightclub after a viral video surfaces showing a violent altercation inside.
According to the State Department of Consumer Protection, the owner of The Russian Lady is cooperating with their investigation and has voluntarily agreed to shut down until it is determined, “what additional action may be required,” said a spokesperson.
The original incident happened on Nov. 4. Police said officers responded to The Russian Lady for a report of an assault, but no charges were filed. But now they are taking a second look after a video showing the incident contradicts what witnesses told police.
The video taken inside the Russian Lady nightclub appears to show a confrontation in the stairwell.
“The incident came in from a third-party caller reporting an assault,” remarked Hartford Police Lt. Aaron Boisvert.
Security guards appear to punch a man, who then falls down a flight of stairs. Moments later he is seen motionless at the bottom of the stairs - his body contorted. Hartford police responded to the scene, but no charges were ever filed because security told police the man simply fell and the victim, who was drunk, initially refused treatment.
“We were just made aware as a department of a video that surfaced. We viewed the video and determined it clearly paints a different picture of what happened here. This is going to be a very active investigation,” said Boisvert.
The Russian Lady has changed hands several times over the years. They have operated under different principal proprietors and LLCs. The club's current owner, FYC Entertainment, has not responded
This is not the first time The Russian Lady has been in hot water.
Last year alone they were fined $20,000 and had their liquor license suspended for four days for 26 counts of selling alcohol to minors.
A spokesperson for the State Department of Consumer Protection said, “DCP has opened an active investigation into the incident to determine what action should be taken. The video is disturbing, and not reflective of the behavior expected in our licensed establishments.”
“If you train better this wouldn’t have happened,” stated Devon Wilson of Waterbury.
Wilson provided additional video of another fight at the club in 2021. The video shows patrons and security swinging at each other around the pool table.
“I’ve seen it numerous times, security is extra rough there,” remarked Wilson. “I’ve witnessed where they are getting ready to kick someone out. They walk up on them, grab them with no explanation or de-escalation. So I wasn’t surprised when I saw the video.”
Matt Caron is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at mcaron@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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