Sexual Coffee Stands Helped Men Perk Up in More Ways Than One

The stands were named Java Juggs and Twin Peaks.

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A chain of Washington state coffee shops allegedly sold way more than lattes. Carmela Panico, 52, is accused of running a prostitution ring and laundering money through her drive-through coffee stands in the state.

According to Vocativ, the sexual coffee stands (which have names like Java Juggs and Twin Peaks), reportedly featured pole-dancing baristas, many of whom were former escorts or exotic dancers. Employees' uniforms included high heels, tans, and makeup, and they couldn't wear boots in the winter.

The workers told police officers the price of a cup of coffee was $6, and customers paid with a $20 bill. Baristas then kept the rest, danced provocatively, and exposed their breasts or genitals. Other sex acts cost more. They had to pay a certain amount of money to Panico, and then could keep the rest. The baristas reportedly made hundreds of thousands of dollars in "tips."

Panico, who will be in court this week, allegedly under-reported her earnings to the IRS, since she dealt with mostly cash. A local police officer is charged with tipping Panico off about the investigation in exchange for sexual favors. Panico says she has sold or leased her coffee stands and now has no ties to the business.

[H/T Jezebel

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