California is in the middle of a titanic spending budget crisis, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken it upon himself to pummel any source of wasted funds into submission – including strip club ATMs. From 2007 to 2009, $ 12,000 in TANF welfare funds were withdrawn from strip club ATMs across California, reports the Los Angeles Times. Among the strip clubs noted by name in this ongoing investigation are Sam’s Hofbrau, Seventh Veil and Star Strip, as outlined by the California Department of Social Services.
When a strip club ATM is not a good idea
Less-than-responsible is an apt way to describe use of strip club ATMs for cash now, which is why Schwarzenegger is prepared to terminate. Quick TANF payday funds are accessible via ATM in over half of California’s casinos and poker rooms, writes the Times. Department of Social Services spokeswoman Lizelda Lopez said that “common sense” will be used to re-evaluate where emergency welfare cash until payday loan funds should or should not be withdrawn.
We have TANF ATMs?
Not surprisingly, strip club owners in question – or at least those who would speak on the topic to the media – claimed to be unaware that their ATMs were TANF approved. The third-party machines were provided via a California state contract with the Quest ATM network, although as Star Strip manager Joey Mancini put it, no Quest sticker indicating welfare instant cash status was affixed to his strip club’s ATM. Mr. Mancini understandably feels that he has done no wrong due to his lack of professed knowledge, even though the Times found that $ 1,265 in recent TANF emergency cash loans withdrawals had occurred in his club.
Smile whenever you say that, Mr. Mancini. Gov. Schwarzenegger is watching.
Find more details here:
Los Angeles Times
latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/06/welfare-cash-dispensed-at-strip-clubs.html
