Who Really Runs Club Underground and How is Eddie Lorton Involved?
Inside the Opaque Licensing, Felony History, and Political Entanglements Behind Club Underground and Eddie Lorton.
Aug 05, 2026
Brandon Deriso made the news due to financial crimes, and the story raises questions about him, the property at 555 E. 4th Street, and Eddie Lorton, Reno’s 5-time failed candidate for mayor and Club Underground.
Link to This is Reno: Failed concert tour, investors not getting paid back led to local music promoter’s felony theft conviction.
The article reports that Deriso was dishonorably discharged from probation in 2023 for failing to pay restitution as ordered. By early 2024, he had been operating Club Underground out of the building owned by Eddie Lorton.
Brandon Deriso speaks at the November 19, 2025 City Council Meeting starting at minute 52:20 and identifies himself as running Club Underground.
The History of Club Underground and the Departure of Brandon Deriso
In 2004, Brandon Deriso was the concert promoter at Club Underground and worked with Eddie Lorton to build the business.
In 2007, Remi Jourdan bought and operated Club Underground as a concert venue and eventually let Deriso go.
A decade later, in 2017, Ryan VanDuyn opened The Bluebird Night Club, a venue that became a fixture in Reno’s electronic and underground music scene.
VanDuyn’s company, Human Entertainment Group LLC (HEG), secured the liquor license for the property — a detail that remains crucial today.
The Bluebird closed in 2023.
The Resurrection of Club Underground and the Return of Brandon Deriso
Within months, in 2024, Club Underground resurfaced with Brandon Deriso, who was publicly identifying himself as the operator.
His presence at the venue is not subtle — he is the public face of the club.
Yet Deriso does not hold the liquor license. According to public records, HEG LLC is the business and liquor license holder.
Early during Lorton’s campaign for mayor, Brandon used the venue’s Facebook page to endorse Eddie Lorton, the building’s owner.
Lorton claims to be involved in concert promotions on his website. This is a sign that something unusual is going on between Lorton and Deriso.
Two Christmas Parties Reveal a Washoe GOP Party Split
See this article to read how WFC held a fundraiser at Club Underground and how Brandon Deriso posted about supporting Eddie Lorton throughout campaigns.
The Evidence That Deriso Runs Club Underground
City Council testimony: Deriso identifies himself as the operator.
Facebook posts: He posts as Club Underground and identifies himself.
Political endorsements: He uses the venue’s page to support Lorton.
Social Media: People in the know have commented that they know Brandon.
Operational behavior: He promotes shows, manages events, and is at the venue.
Deriso’s Documented Criminal History
By the time Club Underground reopened in 2024, Deriso’s legal record was not only public — it had been extensively reported. Deriso committed financial crimes related to concert promotions.
2017: Arrested on felony theft, forgery, and fraud‑related charges.
2019: Pleaded guilty to felony theft. Sentenced to 5 years probation.
Court findings: fabricated documents, misrepresented financial transactions, and used investor funds for casino withdrawals.
Restitution: Nearly $900,000 ordered.
2023: Dishonorably discharged from probation for failing to pay restitution.
Unpaid balance: Nearly $850,000 still owed.
Deriso admitted to what he called “investor rolling” — taking new investor money to pay old investors — accumulating $1.4 million in investor notes he could not repay.
These are precisely the types of issues that disqualify someone from obtaining a liquor license or a business license in Reno.
Yet Deriso is running a nightclub in a building owned by Lorton, and the license holder is still listed as HEC, LLC with the principal concealed behind an agent.
The Licensing Puzzle: Who Holds What?
The City of Reno issues liquor licenses through its business licensing system. A search of the city’s database shows:
Human Entertainment Group LLC holds the liquor license and the business at 555 E. 4th Street.
Ryan VanDuyn is the principal of HEG, but he closed the Bluebird Club.
Deriso does not appear on any license and is unqualified to hold one.
Apparently, Deriso is operating a nightclub without holding a license himself.
It is possible that Lorton took over control of HEG LLC. The public records do not reveal the owner, as the LLC’s owner is obscured through the use of an agent and no contact information is provided for the agent.
Why Deriso Cannot Hold a Liquor License
Reno’s liquor licensing rules require:
Good moral character
Financial responsibility
No felony theft or fraud convictions
No outstanding court‑ordered restitution
No history of misuse of funds
No pattern of dishonest business practices
Deriso’s record conflicts with every one of these requirements. This explains why Deriso does not hold the liquor license, and it is likely that Lorton does.
Eddie Lorton Wants to Be a Kingmaker, But First, He Needs to Learn How to Win
I write about Eddie Lorton’s post-campaign interview in this article, where he claims to own 10 (unidentified) businesses. He has claimed to be a business analyst and financial auditor.
The Role of Eddie Lorton, the Landlord
In an interview on Reno Rumble, Eddie Lorton claimed to own 10 businesses.
On his website, he claims to be involved in concert promotions.
Lorton owns the building at 555 E. 4th Street.
Deriso operates Club Underground at Lorton’s property.
Deriso, in turn, uses Club Underground’s platform to endorse Lorton politically.
Link to This is Reno: A murder, music and social media mayhem: The history of controversy surrounding a local music promoter.
In this article, Brandon Deriso says that Eddie Lorton was his mentor and identifies him as the owner of both the building and the club in 2004. They worked together running the club.
What did Eddie Lorton know about Brandon Deriso’s history when he allowed Deriso to operate in his building? Considering that Lorton knew Deriso before and after the conviction, the answer appears clear. They have a long-time working relationship.
The Questions Reno Should be Asking
The story of 555 E. 4th Street is not just about a club. It is about how Reno regulates or fails to regulate — the people who run its nightlife.
Who is legally responsible for Club Underground’s operations?
Why is a promoter with a felony theft record running a nightclub?
What oversight exists for venues with complex ownership structures?
What reforms are needed to ensure transparency and accountability?
Why is Brandon Deriso doing these interviews with This is Reno and exposing his criminal past and his involvement with Eddie Lorton?
Is Eddie Lorton the holder of the liquor license and the owner of Club Underground?
Why is a Lorton who campaigned for mayor as an experienced businessman allowing someone who has been criminally convicted over financial conduct to operate at his property?
Do you have a story to tell? Write to me at: mike@mikesrenoreport.com
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