Nuwaubian founder pushes to open book store in Athens

ATHENS - The founder of an Egyptian-themed religious group is still being held in federal custody but he&#39;s a step closer to opening a book store in Athens. <br> <br> Athens-Clarke County officials issued a standard business tax certificate to United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors founder Dwight York&#39;s alias, Malachi York. <br> <br> County officials received a registration form signed by York last week for the mandatory business occupation tax. <br> <br> Athens-Clark Building Inspections Director Ken Hix says the business still needs a certificate of occupancy to open. <br> <br> York was arrested in May and faces four federal counts involving sexual exploitation of minors. <br> <br> He is also facing state charges after a Putnam County grand jury indicted him on 120 counts of child molestation and related charges. <br> <br> The Nuwaubians are a predominantly black group whose members live in a rural compound resembling an ancient Egyptian theme park. There are huge pyramids and a large gate covered with hieroglyphics.