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Wall St. Friday's Was Ultimate Hot & Spicy Spot for Cocaine
By
Billy Parker
Published Mar 8, 2009
Modified Mar 8, 2009
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By
Billy Parker
Published Mar 8, 2009
Modified Mar 8, 2009
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Cops raided a TGI Friday's in the financial district on the day of its namesake and shut it down after discovering that the family eatery was striped with cocaine. Apparently the business plan at this franchise location included looking the other way as dealers at the bar lured in high rollers from nearby Wall Street institutions. The Post says that the bankers and traders would "spend their nights getting high after the market spent the day going low."
The primary dealer picked up in the bust was 50-year-old Tony Younge of The Bronx. Younge was apparently a fixture at the bar, blending in with his "natty business suit" and "black, executive-style livery cab rides" home. Younge would pass along baggies of coke to customers inside napkins without having to get up from his bar stool.
Also nabbed was another Bronx man, 48-year-old Alvin James, who was charged with criminal sale of marijuana. Someone familiar with the restaurant (but clearly not a mixologist maven) may have coined a new unofficial corporate slogan when he told the Post, "It was common knowledge that after work, if you needed martinis, mozzarella sticks or marijuana, this was the place to go. It's the place with the three M's."
Dennis Riese, CEO of Riese Restaurants, denied any allegations that management and owners were aware of any of the dealings that were going on. The only rock that Riese admits to slinging these days is the chain's upcoming promotion to "Get Your Shamrock On!" with $2 green beer, half-price appetizers and "fun buttons" this St. Patrick's Day.
Tagged
cocaine
drug bust
financial district
riese restaurants
tgi fridays
wall street
Billy Parker
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