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United States
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
Current Report
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 16, 2025
RCI HOSPITALITY HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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| Texas |
001-13992 |
76-0458229 |
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(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
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(Commission
File Number)
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(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
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10737 Cutten Road
Houston, Texas 77066
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)
(281) 397-6730
(Issuer’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a -12) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d -2(b)) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e -4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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| Title of each class |
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Trading Symbol(s) |
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Name of each exchange on which registered |
| Common stock, $0.01 par value |
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RICK |
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The Nasdaq Global Market |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company o
ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS.
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o On September 16, 2025, RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) was indicted in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, along with two executive officers of the Company (Eric Langan, Chief Executive Officer, and Bradley Chhay, Chief Financial Officer), three employees of subsidiaries, and the Company’s subsidiaries Peregrine Enterprises, Inc. (the operator of Rick’s Cabaret in New York City), RCI Dining Services (37th Street), Inc. (the operator of Vivid Cabaret in New York City) and RCI 33rd Street Ventures, Inc. (the operator of Hoops Cabaret and Sports Bar in New York City). The indictment alleges that the defendants committed conspiracy, bribery, criminal tax fraud and offering a false instrument for filing. These charges, which resulted from a previously disclosed investigation by the Office of the Attorney General of New York, allege that a tax auditor with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance was provided complimentary admission to clubs, restaurant meals, private dances and travel expenses in exchange for the reduction of certain sales tax liabilities in connection with the use of “Dance Dollars.”
The Company is evaluating the charges in the indictment and intends to vigorously defend itself against them, while also continuing to seek a just resolution. The charges are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The foregoing descriptions of the charges and allegations are summary in nature only and qualified by reference to the complete copy of the indictment, which is available publicly.
ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(d) Exhibits
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Description |
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| 99.1 |
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| 104 |
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Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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RCI HOSPITALITY HOLDINGS, INC. |
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| Date: September 19, 2025 |
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/s/ Travis Reese |
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Travis Reese |
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Executive Vice President |
EX-99.1
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rick-xstatementregardingny.htm
EX-99.1
Document
RCI Statement Regarding New York Attorney General’s Charges
HOUSTON—September 16, 2025—RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RICK) today issued the following statement from Daniel J. Horwitz of the law firm Tannenbaum Helpern, counsel for the company.
“RCI, two executives, three employees, and three clubs were indicted today in New York on state charges alleging non-payment of sales taxes and bribery of a state sales tax auditor. There are no allegations that any company executive or employee personally benefited from the alleged charges.”
“RCI, the individuals involved, and the three clubs deny the allegations and will take all necessary action to defend themselves against these overreaching charges, while continuing to seek a just resolution.”
“We are clearly disappointed with the New York Attorney General’s decision to move forward with an indictment and look forward to addressing the allegations. We remind everybody that these indictments contain only allegations, which we believe are baseless. RCI and the individuals involved are presumed innocent and should be allowed to have their day in court.”
“RCI previously disclosed the New York Attorney General’s investigation in its SEC filings.”
“As a publicly traded and audited company, RCI has a policy of paying all legitimate and non-contested taxes.”
“All three New York City clubs remain open for business.”
Daniel J. Horwitz is a partner in Tannenbaum Helpern’s Criminal Defense and Litigation and Dispute Resolution practices.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated, including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties associated with (i) the allegations in the indictment referenced in this press release, (ii) operating and managing an adult entertainment or restaurant business, and (iii) numerous other factors such as laws governing the operation of adult entertainment or restaurant businesses, competition and dependence on key personnel. For more detailed discussion of certain risks and uncertainties, see RCI's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2024, as well as its other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company has no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of future events or circumstances.
Media & Investor Contacts
G. Fishman and M. Wichman at 212-883-0655 or gfishman@pondel.com and mwichman@pondel.com.