Greenville County paid a private law firm nearly $80,000 to assist the Solicitor’s Office in litigation against a strip club accused of facilitating prostitution.

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP received $79,291.42 for its legal services when the county took nuisance abatement action last year against Platinum Plus Greenville, according to county records. Lane Davis, a partner of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, was listed as a special prosecutor when the county filed a civil lawsuit against the gentleman’s club in April 2015.

Solicitor Walt Wilkins said a civil attorney was needed on the case because the rules and procedures for civil proceedings differ from criminal cases solicitors usually handle.

The civil lawsuit last year led to the closure of Platinum Plus from May 2015 to November 2015.