Sex industry battles DC stadium

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- The sex industry reportedly funded part of a campaign opposing a new baseball stadium on Washington's Anacostia waterfront.

The stadium is needed for Washington's new major league team, scheduled to move from Montreal next season.

Opponents of a publicly financed stadium spent roughly $50,000, trying to sway public opinion. In one case, foes used an automated phone line to get out the message with a man identifying himself as being with Friends of the Earth.

Friends of the Earth is part of a coalition called "No D.C. Taxes For Baseball." And, WTOP-AM, Washington, has learned up to 20 percent of the $50,000 came from Robert Siegel, whose business would have to move to make way for the stadium in an area he calls "D.C.'s unofficial Red Light district."

He owns 11 properties, several of which house gay nightclubs. He also owns a gay porn shop and adult theaters.