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Trust Me, I'm an Expert: Lap Dance Experts
Today I learned that there are people in this world who are testifying experts in the field of "lap dancing." That, combined with my discovery in April that there are testifying "smell experts," has prompted me to launch what could become an ongoing series of posts here at LBW called "Trust Me, I'm an Expert."
A Reuters article from earlier this month (via Lowering the Bar) that discussed the testimony of a lap dance expert may have many men with pockets full of one-dollar bills thinking that they missed their calling. In 677 New Loudon Corp. v. State of New York Tax Appeals Tribunal, a gentleman's club near Albany, N.Y., called Nite Moves claimed that it did not need to charge a sales tax on private lap dances because such dances are "dramatic or musical art performances" not subject to such tax.
In support of its argument, Nite Moves relied on the expert testimony of cultural anthropologist who
based upon her personal observations gleaned from a visit to petitioner's club, as well as her review of the dances depicted on the Nite Moves DVD entered into evidence at the administrative hearing and her interviews with certain of the club's dancers, the expert opined that "the presentations at Nite Moves are unequivocally live dramatic choreographic performances."
The court, however, was not swayed by the expert, finding that the expert by her own admission "did not view any of the private dances performed at petitioner's club." Nite Moves vowed to appeal, saying that "we brought in the foremost expert in the field. She is the one in this country who has made a complete and detailed study of the art of exotic dance and if they are not going to believe her I don't know who you believe."
Posted by Bruce Carton on June 27, 2011 at 04:28 PM | Permalink
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