LOS ANGELES » A Los Angeles jury has awarded $6.5 million to hundreds of exotic dancers who claimed they were stripped of their tips.

City News Service says the verdict was reached Wednesday and unsealed Thursday in a class-action lawsuit against the Paradise Showgirls strip club.

The class-action suit claimed that the club, located in the Los Angeles County city of Industry, illegally took a portion of tips the dancers earned from giving private “VIP” dances to customers.

Attorney K.L. Myles says club managers acknowledged taking $14 of the $40 dancers earned from lap dances and $100 of their money from private dances.

Club attorney Ernest Franceschi says his clients were entitled to charge rent for club space where the private dances were held. He says the award will be appealed.