Strippers scam four rich guys

Drugged victims ran up big bills

NEW YORK

— A crew of New York City strippers spiked the drinks of four wealthy men, then drove them to strip clubs that ran up tens of thousands of dollars on their credit cards while they were dazed.

The four victims lost at least $200,000 US. None was identified by name in court papers.

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and New York police investigators arrested four professional strippers — on charges including grand larceny, assault and forgery.

One of the women was to appear in court in Manhattan on Wednesday following appearances Tuesday by the other three, including suspected ringleader Samantha Barbash. Barbash’s lawyer, Stephen Murphy, said Wednesday his client denies the charges.

A strip club manager also was facing potential charges.

An undercover investigation found that the women joined in a scheme to rip off the men by drugging them after arranging to meet them at upscale bars in New York and Long Island.

The impaired victims were driven to strip clubs, where they were charged for private rooms, expensive meals, drinks and other services. The clubs paid the women for the visits, but the establishments were not facing criminal charges.

The men reported waking up in their cars or in hotel rooms with little or no memory of the encounters. Those who tried to dispute the strip club bills received texts from the strippers threatening to go public with their transgressions.