Local News in Brief : Fountain Valley : Fortuneteller Wins Round in Court Case

A federal magistrate Wednesday granted a Gypsy fortuneteller permission to open a palm reading business across the street from City Hall.

U.S. Magistrate Ronald Rose issued a temporary restraining order barring the city from enforcing an ordinance that would have made it illegal for fortunetellers to operate a business downtown. The ordinance, which limited fortunetelling businesses to areas along the highway, was to have become effective today.

A hearing on the preliminary injunction was set for July 18.

Madonna Stevens filed a federal lawsuit last month alleging that the City Council violated her constitutional rights by denying her the opportunity to do business. Stevens, a member of the Gypsy religion of Rom, said she reads the future in Tarot cards and the human palm.

She also claims that the City Council adopted the ordinance in order to keep her from opening a shop in a rented office in the 10200 block of Slater Avenue, an area zoned for commercial businesses.

City Atty. Alan Burns said Wednesday that he had not reviewed the judge’s decision and could not comment on the effect of the temporary restraining order.