Brothels owned by Nevada’s famous pimp continue operating

LAS VEGAS — The brothels owned by Nevada’s most famous pimp are being operated by his longtime madam and company financial officer following his death last week.

Dennis Hof, who was found dead Oct. 16 after celebrating his 72nd birthday, added Suzette Cole in 2012 to the business and liquor license for his four brothels in Lyon County, the Las Vegas Sun reported last week.

“He didn’t specify what the issues were, but he wanted to make sure (Cole) was on there in the event something happened to him and the places wouldn’t close down,” said Jeff Page, Lyon County manager. “She is, as far as the county is concerned, the person running all four brothels, the strip club and the restaurant and bar.”

Hof, who was running for a seat in the state Legislature, was found dead at his Love Ranch brothel outside Las Vegas following a weekend of birthday celebrations.

Cole has been operating the businesses in western Nevada for full-time “for years,” said Zack Hames, Hof’s executive assistant.

“It’s business as usual,” Hames said.

Lyon County is one of seven Nevada counties where prostitution houses are legal, but voters in the county will be asked on the November ballot if they want to repeal the brothel ordinance.

To the south in the Nye County, the Love Ranch was Hof’s only remaining brothel operating in that part of the state. He was in the process of selling his properties in southern Nevada in case he was elected to a state seat.

Nye County code does not allow brothel licenses to be transferred and no operator can be added without a new license application with approval by the county licensing and liquor board, officials said.

“The new owner, whether sold or heir, would have to apply for the brothel license, go through a background check conducted by the sheriff’s office,” said Arnold Knightly, a Nye County spokesman. “They would then come before the licensing and liquor board for approval or denial.”