'Boardwalk Empire' judge: Hands off butt billboard

[February 11, 2011]  ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) -- A New Jersey judge who wrote the book "Boardwalk Empire" that led to the hit HBO series about vice-ridden Prohibition-era Atlantic City has ordered the state's transit agency to keep its hands off a billboard that shows a nearly naked showgirl's backside.

The highway sign promotes a stage show at Resorts Casino Hotel, which adopted the Roaring `20s as its new theme, in part to capitalize on the show's popularity.

Superior Court Judge Nelson Johnson is the author of the book upon which the HBO series is based. On Thursday, he ordered NJ Transit and its advertising agency not to touch the billboard until a hearing can be held March 10 on what to do about it.

Casino owner Dennis Gomes says looking at a semi-naked butt never hurt anyone.

[Associated Press]

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