One of Times Square's newest attractions, the "painted ladies," are under fire from city officials after one of the ladies allegedly offered drugs and sex to an undercover cop.
The painted ladies, also called, "desnudas," walk around Times Square topless and adorned in body paint. They pose for pictures with tourists and accept tips, some making hundreds in a day.
Some are accused of dealing in unsavory practices.
Authorities say Destiny Romero, 20, posed for a picture with an undercover New York cop, who told her and her "handler," 22-year-old Jason Perez, that he "wanted to party"; the officer gave the pair an address to a hotel where Perez offered cocaine and "Molly ," and Romero offered oral sex, according to Fox News.
Romero was charged with prostitution and possession. Perez was charged with the promotion of prostitution and multiple drug charges.
Romero and her handler were loners and some say they were not really a part of the painted ladies group, according to the Gothamist.
"I don't know her personally, but she was always off to the side in front of the Hard Rock Cafe with her boyfriend. I've heard that they deal with drugs. When I think of the painted ladies, she's not someone I think of," said one of the painted women.
The city's mayor, Bill De Blasio, is in firm belief that the topless women should not be allowed to continue conducting business on New York's bustling tourist hub, and is working with other city officials to increase the amount of cops that patrol the area, according to Complex.
