Over the past five years, Joe Rodriguez has donated tens of thousands of dollars to charities for at-risk and underprivileged children.
He has helped keep parks open, bought uniforms for a high school football team and supported bands across South Florida.
Now an elementary school in Palm Beach County is considering returning a $20,000 gift because the district learned that the donor, Rodriguez, is not just a wealthy businessman who gives to charity.
Rodriguez, who rose from a scrappy shoe-shine boy in New Jersey to become a wealthy strip-club king, owns Pure Platinum in Fort Lauderdale and the Cheetah gentlemen's clubs in Hallandale Beach, Pompano Beach and Palm Beach County.
Until now, Rodriguez's gifts have largely remained anonymous because he didn't want what he does for a living to smear his charitable efforts.
"I've been doing this for years and I always do it quietly," Rodriguez said. "Now, for some reason they want to make a big deal out of it."
Money maker
He formed a legal foundation, Rodriguez Charities, and estimates he has raised at least a half-million dollars, primarily through charity car washes and golf and poker tournaments. The events feature scantily clad women.
Three months ago, his golf tournament raised $82,000 — 90 percent of which will be donated to causes such as sending disabled kids to Miami Dolphins games, money for Toys for Tots, police charities, Haiti earthquake relief, the American Cancer Society and the American Red Cross, he said.
IRS records show that his charity raised $66,000 in 2009, $91,000 in 2008 and $245,000 in 2007.
Last week, Rodriguez Charities cut a check for $10,000 — the second time in two years — for a West Palm Beach school, Roosevelt Elementary, which has a high percentage of students who live in low-income neighborhoods.
Shortly after, Jose Lambiet, a Palm Beach Post columnist, learned that the school's benefactor runs amusement establishments where grown-ups play.
The Palm Beach County School District was not aware of Rodriguez's occupation.
Citing policy, the district said it would ask Roosevelt's principal, Glenda Garrett, to return the money, Lambiet reported.
But district spokesman Nat Harrington insisted district officials haven't discussed the matter and the decision to return the check rested with Garrett.
She could not be reached for comment.
Rodriguez said he hasn't heard from them so far.
Source: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/fl-strip-club-donations-20110130,0,5177455.story
He has helped keep parks open, bought uniforms for a high school football team and supported bands across South Florida.
Now an elementary school in Palm Beach County is considering returning a $20,000 gift because the district learned that the donor, Rodriguez, is not just a wealthy businessman who gives to charity.
Rodriguez, who rose from a scrappy shoe-shine boy in New Jersey to become a wealthy strip-club king, owns Pure Platinum in Fort Lauderdale and the Cheetah gentlemen's clubs in Hallandale Beach, Pompano Beach and Palm Beach County.
Until now, Rodriguez's gifts have largely remained anonymous because he didn't want what he does for a living to smear his charitable efforts.
"I've been doing this for years and I always do it quietly," Rodriguez said. "Now, for some reason they want to make a big deal out of it."
Money maker
He formed a legal foundation, Rodriguez Charities, and estimates he has raised at least a half-million dollars, primarily through charity car washes and golf and poker tournaments. The events feature scantily clad women.
Three months ago, his golf tournament raised $82,000 — 90 percent of which will be donated to causes such as sending disabled kids to Miami Dolphins games, money for Toys for Tots, police charities, Haiti earthquake relief, the American Cancer Society and the American Red Cross, he said.
IRS records show that his charity raised $66,000 in 2009, $91,000 in 2008 and $245,000 in 2007.
Last week, Rodriguez Charities cut a check for $10,000 — the second time in two years — for a West Palm Beach school, Roosevelt Elementary, which has a high percentage of students who live in low-income neighborhoods.
Shortly after, Jose Lambiet, a Palm Beach Post columnist, learned that the school's benefactor runs amusement establishments where grown-ups play.
The Palm Beach County School District was not aware of Rodriguez's occupation.
Citing policy, the district said it would ask Roosevelt's principal, Glenda Garrett, to return the money, Lambiet reported.
But district spokesman Nat Harrington insisted district officials haven't discussed the matter and the decision to return the check rested with Garrett.
She could not be reached for comment.
Rodriguez said he hasn't heard from them so far.
Source: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/fl-strip-club-donations-20110130,0,5177455.story
