A manager of a strip bar in New York state is accused of drugging, robbing and filming thousands of patrons without their knowledge while they had sex with dancers at the establishment.
According to New York Post, Luiggi Canessa, a 46-year-old man who managed the Shenanigans Gentlemen’s Club, was caught by authorities last February. He had just sold five grams of methamphetamine to an undercover FBI agent.
“The men arrived as customers and they left as victims,” summarized Assistant US Attorney Jonathan Reiner during the defendant’s hearing.
Luiggi Canessa allegedly ordered his employees to drug and rob customers. Employees allegedly stole $10,000 from men using a credit card, while they were unconscious due to intoxication.
The manager was arrested on April 9. During the search, police seized cocaine, 1,000 ecstasy tablets and $41,000.
The accused, who also manages a lingerie store, did not declare all his income, according to the prosecutor.
For his part, Luiggi Canessa’s lawyer, Jeremy Sporn, came to his client’s defense.
“I think there’s definitely a different story to be told here,” he said, adding that any event at a strip bar could raise “a lot of eyebrows.”
Luiggi Canessa is being held in an Albany prison. He faces a prison sentence of 40 years.
