By Della Hasselle
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN —"Out of control" tax breaks for sleazy strip joints are costing the city tens of thousands of dollars and must be abolished, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer told state legislators.
He took action after the New York Daily News reported that at least three clubs are getting huge annual tax breaks.
Stringer urged law makers to abolish the tax rebate from the old Industrial and Commercial Incentive Program, a city business booster left over from the mid-1970's, the News reported.
The Penthouse Executive Club, located on W. 45th St. between 11th and 12 Aves., was one of three strip clubs receiving a "giveaway" from city government this year — to the tune of $37,000 — according to the News.
"This is one of the weirdest exemption programs ever devised," Stringer told the News.
The News reported that the city lost $4.6 billion from tax breaks last year, according to figures kept by the Independent Budget Office.
Some of the other 6,000 properties that receive similar tax breaks include department stores, gas stations and fast-food restaurants, the News reported.
