(a) An applicant for an escort bureau license or an introductory service license shall file an application with the county sheriff’s office accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee.
(b) Unless otherwise provided in this article, the application shall contain the name and address of the activity, the physical location within the county of the escort bureau or introductory service to be licensed, and the Federal Tax Identification Number for the escort bureau or introductory service to be licensed, and the following information about the applicant, any person financially interested in the activity to be licensed, any authorized local agents, and any managing employee of the activity to be licensed:
(1) The name, including any aliases, business trade names or styles;
(2) Present residence and business addresses and telephone numbers, as applicable;
(3) Each residence and business address for the 5-year period immediately preceding the date of filing of the application and the inclusive dates of each such address;
(4) South Carolina driver’s license number;
(5) Valid proof of age and that the applicant is at least 21 years of age;
(6) Height, weight, color of eyes and hair, and date of birth;
(7) Two current 2-inch by 2-inch color photographs;
(8) The business, occupation or employment history for the 3-year period immediately preceding the date of the filing of the application;
(9) Information as to whether such individual or business has ever been refused any similar license or permit or has had any similar license or permit issued to such individual or business in Greenville or elsewhere revoked or suspended, and the reason or reasons therefor;
(10) All prior criminal convictions, except minor traffic offenses;
(11) If the applicant is a corporation, the name of the corporation shall be set forth exactly as shown in its articles of incorporation or charter, together with the state and date of incorporation, and the names, residence addresses, and dates of birth of each of its current officers and directors, and each stockholder holding more than 5% of the stock in the corporation. If the applicant is a partnership, the applicant shall set forth the names, residence addresses and dates of birth of each of the partners, including limited partners and profit interest holders. If the applicant is a limited partnership, the applicant shall furnish a copy of the certificate of limited partnership as filed with the county clerk. If 1 or more of the partners is a corporation, the provisions of this paragraph pertaining to corporations shall apply. The corporation or partnership applicant shall designate 1 of its officers or general partners to act as its responsible managing officer. Such designated person shall complete and sign all application forms required of an individual applicant under this ordinance, but only 1 application fee shall be charged;
(12) A description of any service to be provided;
(13) The names and residential addresses of all persons employed as escorts.
(c) The county sheriff’s office shall conduct an appropriate investigation to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on the application.
(d) The county sheriff’s office shall, within a reasonable time, grant the license, provided:
(1) The required fees have been paid;
(2) The application conforms in all respect to the provisions of this article;
(3) The applicant has not made a material misrepresentation of fact in the application;
(4) That neither the applicant, if an individual; nor any person financially interested, if a corporation; nor any of the partners, including limited partners; nor the holder of any profit interest; nor the manager or other person principally in charge of the operation of the existing or proposed escort bureau or introductory service; nor any individual employed or contracted with to be an escort or to provide escort services has been convicted of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to any felony or to a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude within 5 years prior to the issuance of the license;
(5) The applicant has not had a license similar to the one issued pursuant to the provisions of this article issued by another local authority, suspended or revoked for cause within the 5-year period immediately preceding the date of the filing of the application;
(6) The escort bureau or introductory service complies with all applicable laws of the county and the state;
(7) The applicant, manager or other person principally in charge of the operation of the business is at least 18 years of age.
(e) The county sheriff’s office shall deny the license application if all of the requirements set forth in subsections (d)(1) through (7) of this section have not been met. In the event of denial, the applicant shall be notified by mail of the denial and the reasons therefor.
(1976 Code, § 2.5-42) (Ord. 1869, § 6, passed 7-19-1988; Ord. 4303, §§ 4, 5, passed 8-18-2009)