Scores, the New York strip club that has gained notoriety in recent years for its allegations of overcharging patrons, including celebrities and executives – and those that would rather not be recognized – has been hit with allegations of tax evasion.
The 16 count indictment alleges that the defendants participated in a scheme involving dummy companies in order to reduce taxable income between 2001 and 2003. Scores Holding Company CEO Richard Goldring used one dummy company, Interactive Business Concepts Inc., to claim business-related deductions on New York State tax returns, though, prosecutors allege, the monies were used for personal expenses.
This isn’t the first criminal scandal involving top execs at Scores. Manager Harvey Osher, also named in the indictment, was convicted in 2001 of federal money laundering charges.
Defense attorneys claim that the defendants were merely acting on the advice of professionals. The prosecution, however, maintains that this was a purposeful scheme meant to evade state income taxes.
The tax evasion charges will not affect the ongoing investigation into the allegations that the club overcharged patrons.
