Nevada's Nye County Considers Getting Rid of Legal Brothels

Nevada's Nye County Considers Getting Rid of Legal Brothels

TONOPAH, Nev. — A commissioner in Nye County, Nev., last week said she is proposing an initiative for the November ballot that seeks to outlaw legal prostitution and throw five brothels out of the county.

Nye County is one of 16 counties in Nevada where prostitution is legal.

Lorinda Wichman, a Nye County commissioner, told three other board members and the public at its last meeting that she already has staff looking into what it is costing taxpayers to have legalized prostitution.

“I asked them to compare what it is costing us to what we receive,” Wichman said at the meeting. “My curiosity is to whether or not taxpayers of Nye County are subsidizing the brothel industry.”

“I want to see what voters think about keeping prostitution in Nye County,” Wichman said.

According to a report, rural Nye County collected $85,000 in brothel licenses, as long with $56,800 in brothel work card fees for the fiscal year 2017.

A substantial portion of the county's brothel license tax goes to help fund local EMT services and veterans' groups. The seat of Nye County's government in Tonopah is 160 miles from Pahrump, which is 60 miles from Las Vegas.

Sheri's Ranch, Chicken Ranch, Love Ranch, Dennis Hof’s Cathouse and Dennis Hof’s Alien Cathouse brothels legally do business under Nye County Code 9.20.

Other jurisdictions in Nevada where prostitution is legal include Mineral, Lyon, Lander, White Pine, Elko, Humboldt and Storey counties. Churchill, Esmerelda, Eureka and Pershing counties can have brothels, but currently don't have active businesses.

Brothels in Nevada serve approximately 400,000 clients a year and generate a profit of $35-50 million, according to a study conducted in 2006.

The subject about the fate of brothels in Nye County was raised after the board on Friday discussed and deliberated the current suspension of a “privilege license” for Dennis Hof’s Love Ranch brothel, and whether to lift or retain the suspension.

The board approved a motion to rescind the Love Ranch suspension based on future compliance of numerous provisions in regards to more than 30 violations found on the property, as well as the production of a monthly status report.

Hof, who is seeking the Republican nomination for state Assembly District 36 and owns three of Nye County’s five brothels, said that elimination of the brothels is politically motivated. He has responded with multiple lawsuits against the county over what he sees as “politics at its worst.”

“We call her ‘Witchhunt Wichman’ for a reason,” Hof told XBIZ. “She and others in the county are using every tool to put me out of business. It’s an abuse of power, and they are changing the width of the goal posts as they go along.

“They haven’t done enough damage to my business and reputations; now they want to take out all the brothels,” Hof said. “She didn’t get what she wanted in keeping me closed. Now she is trying to get rid of the whole industry.”

View the contentious board meeting here (Item No. 3 offers discussion on the Love Ranch action and legal prostitution issues).

Pictured: Dennis Hof

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Haley Spades Stars in Latest From Immoral

Haley Spades stars with Charlie Dean, Matt Bird, and Dean Van Damme in a new three-part release from Immoral Productions, directed by "Porno Dan" Leal.

Octavia Red Makes Her Vampired Debut

Octavia Red has made her Vampired debut alongside Talia Mint and 2023 XMA Europas Female Performer of the Year Tiffany Tatum in the new feature “Hunters.”

Lily Starfire Fronts Latest From Brazzers

Lily Starfire stars with Kyle Mason in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Eating Ass Is the Game."

Le Wand's 'Petite' Highlighted in NY Magazine Article

Le Wand’s Petite massage wand has been recognized in NY Magazine's The Strategist round-up of top-rated massagers.

Country Hotwife Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Content creator Country Hotwife has made her debut for Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint WIFEY, alongside her husband StagHubby and former XMAs Male Performer of the Year Isiah Maxwell.

Vixen Media Group Celebrates 10 Years of 'Tushy'

Vixen Media Group (VMG) is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of studio imprint Tushy.

Cherry Kiss Stars in Latest 'Blind Dates' From Bellesa

Cherry Kiss headlines the 16th volume of "Blind Dates," from Bellesa.

Emma Rosie Toplines Pat Myne's 'Gape For Days 5'

Emma Rosie headlines director Pat Myne's "Gape For Days 5," from Evil Angel.

Adult Time Drops 2nd Installment of Bree Mills Thriller 'Escape From Camp Conversion'

Adult Time has debuted the second episode of the Bree Mills-helmed thriller "Escape From Camp Conversion," from studio brand Girlcore.

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Show More