---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001628280-25-042175"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "RICK"
cik: "0000935419"
company_name: "RCI HOSPITALITY HOLDINGS, INC."
filed_at: "2025-09-19T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-17T06:11:03.560788+00:00"
event_type: "litigation"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 0.8
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.8
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# RCI Hospitality indicted in NY on bribery/tax fraud; CEO and CFO charged

## Summary
- Indicted Sept 16, 2025 in NY Supreme Court on conspiracy, bribery, criminal tax fraud, false instrument charges.
- Defendants include CEO Eric Langan, CFO Bradley Chhay, 3 employees, and 3 NYC subsidiaries.
- Allegations: tax auditor given free club admissions, meals, dances, travel to reduce sales tax liabilities.
- Company denies allegations, intends to vigorously defend and seek a just resolution.
- All three NYC clubs (Rick's Cabaret, Vivid Cabaret, Hoops Cabaret) remain open for business.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001628280-25-042175
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: RICK
- cik: 0000935419
- company_name: RCI HOSPITALITY HOLDINGS, INC.
- filed_at: 2025-09-19T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: litigation
- sentiment: negative
- materiality_score: 0.8
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.8
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 8.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/935419/000162828025042175/0001628280-25-042175-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/935419/000162828025042175/rick-20250916.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001628280-25-042175
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001628280-25-042175.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001628280-25-042175.txt

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.