Two Manhattan strip clubs where a man claims he was drugged and fleeced for thousands of dollars in a situation reminiscent of the film “Hustlers” have fired back with a lawsuit of their own — alleging the man defamed them in a “sham” case, according to new court papers.
Sister companies Hoops Cabaret and Sports Bar and Vivid Cabaret filed the $2 million Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit against Scott White for the claims he brought in a case filed last week.
The 41-year-old tech consultant claimed he went to 33rd Street club Hoops on Sept. 11 and was planning on going home after having some drinks and food when a man approached him asking if he wanted to go to Vivid on 37th Street.
The Weehawken, NJ man says he declined but after later retracing his steps through his credit card and bank transactions, he discovered he’d gone to Vivid that night as well and had received two private lap dances.
He claimed that after leaving Hoops, he had blurry memories or none at all for parts of the night.
RCI Management Services — the parent company for the clubs — claims Vivid surveillance video suggests White was “coherent” when he signed his credit card receipt at the club and shook the manager’s hand.
The court papers say the clubs are suing White for “libel and defamation.”
“Mr. White’s lawsuit against Hoops and Vivid is entirely frivolous,” Jeffrey Kimmel, a lawyer for the clubs, said in a prepared statement. “The truth seems to be that Mr. White had a fun night and several weeks later had ‘buyer’s remorse.’ Or maybe he saw the movie Hustlers and is seeking his 15 minutes of fame.”
“Regardless, Hoops and Vivid intend to vigorously defend against Mr. White’s lawsuit, to counterclaim for defamation, and to seek sanctions against him,” Kimmel said.
White’s lawyer, Ethan Kobre, said, “RCI’s defamation action is an unfortunate scare tactic, apparently aimed at victim-shaming and intimidating Mr. White and discouraging others with similar accounts from coming forward. But Mr. White stands by his allegations. We won’t be intimidated by frivolous defamation claims.”
The 2019 film “Hustlers” follows a group of exotic dancers who fleece club patrons.
