Patrick Ewing admitted to taking strip-club favors in 2001. The NBA star testified about two visits to the Atlanta Gold Club in 1997 and 1998.
What happened?
Ewing described the situation directly, saying they started fondling him, he got aroused, and they performed oral sex on him. He hung around and talked to them before leaving.
The Gold Club scandal
The club's owner, Steve Kaplan, faced racketeering charges and alleged mob ties. Ewing's testimony added pressure, and Kaplan eventually pleaded guilty.
The Atlanta Gold Club was a regular stop for Ewing whenever the New York Knicks came to town. His first visit reportedly came during the 1996 Olympics.
Why it matters for Patrick Ewing
Ewing's involvement in the case was a messy situation. He was one of the NBA's biggest names in the 1990s, and his testimony had real legal consequences.
The case ended with Kaplan admitting to racketeering and credit card fraud. He paid $5 million, served 16 months in prison, and completed community service.
On July 9, 2026, the story resurfaced, highlighting the strange silver lining. Bill Simmons once wrote about the case in a piece titled “An Idiot's Guide to the Gold Club Trial”, which was hilarious.
Former Knicks John Starks and Larry Johnson were also mentioned in the case. George Kontos, the former VIP manager, testified that some encounters went beyond dancing.
The whole story felt like something straight out of Hollywood. The ending was no different, with Kaplan and several co-defendants pleading guilty.
The Gold Club eventually shut down for good. Ewing's testimony played a significant role in the case, revealing the explicit acts that took place in the VIP room.
In the early 2000s, prosecutors focused on Kaplan, accusing him of arranging for dancers to travel and meet players on the road. Ewing's involvement in the case sparked a federal investigation.
The case was a significant one, with Kaplan facing serious charges. Ewing's testimony was a key part of the trial, revealing the details of his visits to the Atlanta Gold Club.
The story of Patrick Ewing and the Atlanta Gold Club is a complex one. It involves explicit acts, federal charges, and a messy situation that ended with Kaplan's guilty plea.
On July 9, 2026, the story was published, highlighting the strange case. It's a story that involves one of the NBA's biggest names and a strip club scandal that sparked a federal investigation.