By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) -The New York state auditor, who allegedly accepted lap dances to help the parent company of Rick’s Cabaret and other strip clubs avoid millions of dollars in taxes, has been indicted for fraud.

Alton Plunkett pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal tax fraud, bribery, conspiracy and falsifying business records on Tuesday at a state court in Manhattan, his lawyer Gary Lesser said.

His plea came two weeks after New York Attorney General Letitia James charged RCI Hospitality Holdings and five executives, including CEO Eric Langan, over their alleged 13-year bribery scheme ending in January 2024.

Those defendants have denied wrongdoing. Plunkett’s name had been redacted from the 79-count indictment.

‘SO MANY BEAUTIFUL WOMEN,’ DEFENDANT ALLEGEDLY W

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