Scandal concentrates on Hustlers: a revealing account of a band of previous dancers who manipulated men, amassing vast sums of money

In the heart of New York City, a group of former exotic dancers and adult entertainment workers, including Roselyn Keo and Samantha Barbash, ran a sophisticated scheme to scam wealthy men during the 2000s and early 2010s[1][5]. This intricate web of crime and survival within the strip club scene was first detailed in a 2015 article by journalist Jessica Pressler for New York Magazine, titled "The Hustlers at Scores."

The film Hustlers, released in 2019, was inspired by this real-life story. Although the movie changed the names of the women and dramatized certain events, Jennifer Lopez’s character, Samantha Hernandez, was based on Samantha Barbash, while Constance Wu's character, Destiny Montgomery, was inspired by Roselyn Keo[1]. Other characters in the film also represented real members of the crew, though some details were altered for the film.

The scheme was simple yet ingenious. The women would spike the drinks of their targets with a mix of MDMA and ketamine, rendering them unconscious. Once incapacitated, they would run up large bills at strip clubs like the Scores in Chelsea, NYC, using the men's credit cards or debit cards[2].

The operation came crashing down when one man recorded a phone call with one of the women involved and called the New York City Police Department with the evidence[4]. This led to the arrest of Pascucci, Rosen, Barbash, and Keo in June 2014[3].

Barbash, portrayed by Jennifer Lopez in the film, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, assault, and grand larceny in exchange for five years' probation[6]. Keo, on the other hand, was able to avoid jail time after confessing to grand larceny and attempted assault, receiving five years of probation instead[7].

Interestingly, Keo wrote a book about her experience called The Sophisticated Hustler. Barbash, however, was less than thrilled about the film's release, claiming it was based on falsities and exploring legal action due to Lopez's portrayal of her. In 2020, she lost the lawsuit[8].

Despite the legal complications, Pascucci seemed to be excited about the release of the film Hustlers, attending the movie premiere alongside Keo[9]. It seems that the true story behind the movie Hustlers continues to captivate audiences, offering a glimpse into a world rarely explored in mainstream media.

[1] - https://www.vulture.com/2019/09/hustlers-based-on-real-story-jennifer-lopez-constance-wu.html

[2] - https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/12/movies/hustlers-movie-review.html

[3] - https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/20/nyregion/hustlers-strip-club-scam-involving-drugging-of-men-unravels.html

[4] - https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/20/nyregion/hustlers-strip-club-scam-involving-drugging-of-men-unravels.html

[5] - https://www.vulture.com/2019/09/hustlers-based-on-real-story-jennifer-lopez-constance-wu.html

[6] - https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/11/arts/television/hustlers-samantha-barbash-lawsuit.html

[7] - https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/20/nyregion/hustlers-strip-club-scam-involving-drugging-of-men-unravels.html

[8] - https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/11/arts/television/hustlers-samantha-barbash-lawsuit.html

[9] - https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/12/movies/hustlers-movie-review.html

Scandal concentrates on Hustlers: a revealing account of a band of previous dancers who manipulated men, amassing vast sums of money