A federal judge ruled today that Westchester businessman Sam Zherka must remain in jail, claiming he is dangerous to society.

The newspaper publisher and strip club owner is accused of tax fraud, wire fraud, witness tampering and submitting false loan applications to banks.

Federal prosecutors say between 2005 and 2008, Zherka obtained a total of $146 million in loans to purchase and refinance apartment complexes across the country. Investigators say he then lied about the purchase prices, the down payment amounts, his assets, income and his tax returns among other things. The indictment also charges Zherka engaged in a decade-long tax fraud scheme.

The prosecution claimed Zherka is a flight risk and wants to keep him behind bars until they go to trial. The U.S. Attorney's Office argued that it has an extremely strong evidence that shows in past court cases Zherka has lied under oath, has used violent means to keep people from testifying against him and that he currently owes a lot of money.

Zherka's attorney told News 12, "There is no risk of flight. He hasn't had a passport in 10 years. He doesn't travel. He is all about family."

Zherka was arrested Thursday by FBI agents. He was arraigned in federal court and pleaded not guilty.

Zherka will remain in jail until his next hearing in November.