New court tactic in fight for Myth

The owner of Myth, the Maplewood nightclub that closed last week, has asked a judge to grant a restraining order against an investor who has taken control of the venue.

Michael Ogren alleges in documents filed in Ramsey County District Court that he is the sole owner of the club and the company that operates it, and that Steve Sadowski is "dissipating and misappropriating" the club's assets.

Ogren's lawsuit also asks that Sadowski be prohibited from "defaming, slandering or otherwise damaging the reputation" of Ogren and Myth.

Ogren alleges that Sadowski refuses to communicate with him, and has taken personal belongings he refuses to return.

"It's all lies," Sadowski said Tuesday. He said that Ogren's personal belongings are in an office at Myth.

Other equipment, however, has been removed just in case Ogren's restraining order is approved, Sadowski said.

Ogren said in a complaint that Sadowski's actions are costing the club $401,000 in revenue expected from shows in September and October. He said that "Sadowski physically expelled" him from Myth on July 31.

Ogren could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

In recent days, Ogren has said that he intends to reopen the club and put it up for sale. He hasn't named Sadowski specifically, but Ogren has said that a tenant has refused to pay bills and that he is trying for an eviction.

Sadowski disagrees, and said that he has been trying to pay off some of the venue's debts. He did let the staff go, but he said that he paid them.

Sadowski said he took control of stock in the company that runs the venue after Ogren failed to repay a $3.5 million loan that Sadowski made to him for a now-defunct gambling website.

The stock was collateral for that loan.

He doesn't want to put his own money into the business because he doesn't want to take on the existing debts, he explained.

In his complaint, Ogren said that he never sold the stock to Sadowski, so therefore he is still the owner.

Sadowski said he didn't have to purchase the stock to take control.

The legal tiff is likely to escalate: Sadowski said he intends to sue Ogren.

Their dispute is one factor clouding the future of the club.

Ogren said Monday that he's negotiating with his lenders.

In his suit against Sadowski, Ogren also is asking for damages in excess of $50,000, the return of all of his belongings and immediate control of Myth.

Ogren opened the 38,000-square-foot nightclub near the Maplewood Mall in 2005. With a capacity of 3,000, it filled a niche between large venues and small clubs in the metro. It has generally booked high-selling rap and rock acts.

A hearing concerning the restraining order is scheduled for Sept. 3.