Skip to content
News
Link copied to clipboard

Streaker offering Obama part of the $1million jackpot he expects to win

The streaker who bared all at President Obama's rally in Germantown on Sunday is so confident that he'll be awarded a $1 million jackpot for the stunt that he's offered to give $100,000 to the president's pet cause.

The streaker who bared all at President Obama's rally in Germantown on Sunday is so confident that he'll be awarded a $1 million jackpot for the stunt that he's offered to give $100,000 to the president's pet cause.

"If Obama would be so gracious as to let me know the name of his favorite charity, I'll make the donation," said Juan J. Rodriguez, the unemployed painter from Staten Island, N.Y., whose mad dash was intended to publicize a reality-show website.

Rodriguez, 24, was collared by the Secret Service soon after his sprint wearing nothing more than the name of the site scrawled on his torso and a pair of running shoes.

Philadelphia police charged him with indecent exposure, public lewdness, and disorderly conduct.

Alki David, the British Internet billionaire who offered the prize, said he would make an announcement on Tuesday whether Rodriguez had met all the criteria to win. By 7 p.m. Tuesday, Rodriguez was still waiting to hear when his money would be delivered.

One of David's stipulations was that the streaker had to be within view of President Obama. Another required that Obama hear the name of the website as it was shouted six times.

"It's still not confirmed," David told The Inquirer on Monday. "Whether he was in earshot and eyesight of the president is what's being debated right now."

Rodriguez, in an interview Tuesday with The Inquirer, said he didn't take any chances. For the required proof, he said, he hired a videographer to record the naked truth.

David fretted on Tuesday that there might be state laws that could keep Rodriguez from collecting on the bet. So-called Son of Sam statutes in many states prevent convicted criminals from profiting from illegal acts.

Not in Pennsylvania, however.

"That is only applied in murder cases," said Tasha Jamerson, spokeswoman for District Attorney Seth Williams. "It's not across-the-board criminal cases."

Still, Jamerson said, that doesn't mean Rodriguez is guaranteed to keep the loot that might come from baring his booty.

"Once he goes to trial on Nov. 12, the judge might decide to impose a fine on him - of $1 million."

Rodriguez, jailed for 26 hours, was released from Police Headquarters Monday night following his arraignment.

Once David reviews the video, Rodriguez said, he will be awarded the money.

"He knows I fulfilled the requirements," the soft-spoken Rodriguez said by phone as he rode to Manhattan Tuesday afternoon on the Staten Island Ferry.

His attorney, Chris Miller of Brennan Law Offices in Philadelphia, said Rodriguez was let go without having to put up any money.

And oddly, Rodriguez was released without the one item of clothing he was wearing when he was nabbed at the rally: his shoes.