New York Attorney General Letitia James on Monday announced the indictment of top executives of RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc., which operates strip clubs nationwide, in connection with a multimillion-dollar tax fraud and bribery scheme.
The 79-count indictment charges RCI, five executives, and three Manhattan-based clubs—Rick’s Cabaret, Vivid Cabaret, and Hoops Cabaret and Sports Bar—with conspiracy, bribery, and criminal tax fraud. Investigators said RCI executives bribed a New York Department of Taxation and Finance auditor to avoid paying more than $8 million in sales taxes from 2010 to 2024.
The auditor received at least 13 trips to Florida, where he was given up to $5,000 per day for private dances at RCI clubs, along with hotel and restaurant expenses. RCI controller Timothy Winata allegedly delivered bribes in person during trips to Manhattan, coordinating the scheme with CEO Eric Langan, CFO Bradley Chhay, Director of Operations Ahmed Anakar, and Regional Manager Shaun Kevlin…