Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Ponzi Wife Hopes To Pole Dance Her Way Back To Profit


By

Ben Yakas

Published Feb 23, 2011

Modified Feb 23, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Diane Passage, courtesy Pole Riders.

 


By

Ben Yakas

Published Feb 23, 2011

Modified Feb 23, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Things haven't been so easy for former Scores stripper Diane Passage in recent months, ever since her husband, accountant to the stars Kenneth Starr, pleaded guilty to running a Ponzi scheme. Starr is facing 12 years in jail, his companies are in bankruptcy, and their joint bank accounts have been frozen—so what's a third wife to do to make a little money?

Passage reportedly auditioned for a new, untitled reality TV show which will show what life is like for pole dancers; if Passage gets a spot, she'll be filmed as she starts working at Scores again. There won't be any nudity, but there will be footage of the girls "going about their daily lives." We're just surprised no effervescent reality show producer has pitched a show about the young wives of convicted white collar criminals ("The Real Housewives of Butner Prison").

On the plus side, at least we have some indication that everything is copacetic between Starr and his (specially selected) wife: Passage received flowers from Starr from prison on Valentine's Day, and tweeted, "More roses from Ken just arrived!! Even from behind bars he continues to make other husbands look like a$$holes... Lol!"

Tagged

diane passage

kenn starr

pole

pole dancing

ponzi scheme


Ben Yakas

Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

Peepapalooza: NYC is heading to the Hudson Valley to watch the leaves

Don't be surprised if you run into someone from your building in Beacon.

By

Elizabeth Shwe

and

Sean Carlson

Published Oct 24, 2026 at 10:46 a.m. ET


NYPD: Officer shot, injured knife-wielding woman during ‘chaotic’ night at Queens home

The woman is in stable condition, police said, but several people were stabbed.

By

Ryan Kost

News

NYPD: Officer shot, injured knife-wielding woman during ‘chaotic’ night at Queens home

The woman is in stable condition, police said, but several people were stabbed.

By

Ryan Kost


3 slates vying to run Jersey City school board as city stares down major tax hikes

By

Michael Sol Warren

5 men charged with trespassing in 2 Manhattan manhole cases

By

Charles Lane

6-year-old girl breaks leg after getting hit by falling bricks in Queens

By

Charles Lane


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .