Strip Club Executives Charged in $8 Million Tax Bribery Scheme
Strip club executives from RCI Hospitality Holdings face charges for allegedly bribing a New York tax auditor from 2010-2024, avoiding over $8 million in sales taxes through various perks.
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Overview
- Executives from Houston-based RCI Hospitality Holdings, which owns strip clubs nationwide, have been charged in New York with a 79-count indictment including conspiracy, bribery, and tax fraud.
- The charges allege that these executives bribed a New York state tax auditor from 2010 to 2024 to avoid paying over $8 million in sales taxes.
- The alleged bribes included providing the tax auditor with complimentary trips to Florida and up to $5,000 per day for private dances at their strip clubs.
- In exchange for these perks, the tax auditor allegedly provided favorable treatment to the strip clubs during at least six tax audits over the 14-year period.
- Daniel Horwitz, a New York lawyer representing RCI, stated that the individuals involved dispute the allegations and intend to vigorously fight the charges in court.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally, presenting the allegations against strip club executives and the defense's rebuttal without editorial bias. They attribute strong statements to official sources like the Attorney General and the indictment, while maintaining objective language in their reporting of facts and legal proceedings.
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FAQ
The executives have been charged with conspiracy, bribery, and tax fraud involving a scheme to avoid paying over $8 million in sales taxes from 2010 to 2024.
They allegedly bribed the auditor by providing complimentary trips to Florida and up to $5,000 per day for private dances at their strip clubs in exchange for favorable treatment during tax audits.
The bribery scheme allegedly occurred over a 14-year period, from 2010 through 2024.
Daniel Horwitz, a New York lawyer representing RCI, stated that the individuals involved dispute the allegations and intend to vigorously fight the charges in court.
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