SAN DIEGO -- Sources at Cheetah's strip club told 10News that dancers were tipped off to let them know when police vice officers were expected to inspect the club. Sources close to the investigation say the tip-offs were part of the federal investigation.

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When federal agents raided Cheetah's last Wednesday, sources say they were looking for financial records. The raid caught employees by surprise, 10News reported.

Now, 10News has learned that somebody was tipping Cheetah's employees whenever San Diego vice officers were to pay unannounced visits.

When vice officers inspect any strip club, undercover officers come to enforce the dancing allowed by law. San Diego has an ordinance forbidding "dirty-dancing."

Sources from the club say when vice officers were going to inspect the club, girls were tipped off by yellow ribbons tied in the area of the club reserved for lap dancing. When the yellow ribbons were up, the dancing would be cleaned up. If there were no yellow ribbons the dancers felt free to express themselves in ways that would bring in more tip money.

San Diego Vice officers are not commenting, but a source close to the investigation told 10News that tip offs were part of the federal investigation and tied to the corruption investigation at city hall.

Cheetah's is owned by Jack Galardi and his son, Michael. The father and son pair also own the Cheetah's and Jaguar Clubs in Las Vegas -- and they also own more across the nation.

According to a website for Galardi's, a list of clubs include: one in West Virginia, one in North Carolina, three in South Carolina, four in Atlanta and seven in Florida.

Jack Galardi was involved in a high profile lawsuit in Atlanta where he was sued by one of his dancers. While federal agents are on his case, an out of court settlement seems less likely.