Captain Janks charged with theft

Captain Janks, known for 'Howard Stern Show' pranks, charged with theft
by Express-Times staff

Thursday February 26, 2009, 12:24 PM

Captain Janks, known for his prank phone calls on the "Howard Stern Show" has been accused of accepting money for bookings but never showing up to perform.

"Captain Janks," known for his prank phone calls on the "Howard Stern show" is not laughing today.

The 42-year-old North Wales, Pa., man, whose real name is Thomas Cipriano, has run into some trouble with the law. The prankster turned himself into authorities Wednesday for allegedly accepting money for a booking, but never actually making an appearance.

Barbara Seguine, who runs the Landslide Restaurant and Saloon, paid Captain Janks $350 to come to the bar on Route 173 in Bethlehem Township, N.J. But then, she says, he didn't show up, didn't call to cancel and didn't refund her money.

He was arraigned on the theft charge and released until a future court date.

A blogger spoke out on the "Howard Stern Show" Feb. 19 about how the "Whack Pack" member allegedly often pulls similar scams, according to a report in The Patriot-News.

Mike Van Jura, a talent booker for Appalachian Brewing Co. in Harrisburg, who blogs at jerseymike.org, said Captain Janks has been calling bars and clubs up and down the East Coast, booking appearances, pocketing money and never showing up.

Van Jura blogged about his experience getting ripped off by Captain Janks

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