Shocking Escape: Ex-Dancer Sheds Light on Alleged Abuse and Trafficking at Shenanigans Club!
A former dancer who worked at Shenanigans Gentlemen’s Club in Colonie has come forward to share her harrowing experience, revealing details of physical and emotional abuse she endured for nearly a year.
Her story paints a disturbing picture of life behind the scenes at the club, shedding light on the alleged mistreatment of workers.
In an exclusive interview with 13Investigates, the woman described her 11 months of employment at Shenanigans as “disgusting and deplorable.”
Her ordeal culminated in a terrifying incident where she claims she was pushed out of a moving car by the club’s general manager, Luiggi Canessa, after a dispute over her unwillingness to perform certain engagements with clients.
“It was over a dispute with feature engagements he had for me that night and my attitude about them,” she recounted.
By March 2024, she said her body had deteriorated so severely that she no longer felt human. She recalled pleading with Canessa to let her eat, but her pleas were ignored.
Her refusal to comply with the demands placed on her led to a violent encounter on I-87 near the Wolf Road exit. She described how she was thrown from the car, left bruised and in severe pain.
“The physical pain didn’t matter anymore because the physical pain was over with. I never went back after that day. I never was found,” she stated.
This was not the first time the former dancer had faced danger. She claims that Canessa frequently forced her to travel to New York City to work in jobs he assigned her, demanding that she return with at least $10,000 each day.
She was given a list of names and addresses and expected to follow through with no regard for her safety or well-being. “I was dropped down there like I was nothing because I was nothing,” she said.
In addition to the dancer’s allegations, Canessa was arrested in April on unrelated charges for selling meth to an undercover officer.
He now faces a broader investigation by the FBI, which is looking into allegations of sex trafficking and other criminal activities that may have occurred at Shenanigans.
Canessa has admitted to selling drugs, including meth, cocaine, and marijuana, from his home, according to a criminal complaint.
The dancer’s attorney, Daniel Smalls, expressed confidence in the case, noting that he has spoken with others who have stories similar to his client’s.
“When you have individuals that don’t know each other, but their stories are extremely consistent, it gives you belief that you’re definitely on the right path, and there’s merit to it,” Smalls said.
Despite the ongoing investigations, Shenanigans remains open for business, something the former dancer finds deeply troubling. “It does not make me feel safe. I think it’s deplorable,” she said.
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Attempts to reach the attorney representing the defendant were unsuccessful, and 13Investigates has yet to receive a response.