The controversial owner of a local striptease business was shot Friday night during an apparent robbery attempt.

Anthony Agnello, also known as known as "Cousin Vinny" and the "King of Bling,? says he was attacked on Beekman Avenue by two masked gunmen who opened fire on him, hitting his leg.

Agnello, who was on his way to a bachelor party in the area, claims he was set up.

?They obviously came to take the crown jewels,? he says, referring to his thick chain, bracelet and watch.

Agnello, the owner of the strip club "World Famous Cousin Vinny's Gorgeous Strippers," says the gunmen didn't ask him for money or his jewelry, but immediately opened fire.

He says he heard two loud "pops" and started running. The Bronx man credits a thick stack of credit cards in his pocket for stopping a bullet that he says would have killed him.

In 2001, Agnello got in trouble with the law when he was accused of supplying adult entertainment for a parent-hosted underage party. Two years later, he was arrested for allegedly promoting prostitution.

Earlier this year, Agnello was in the spotlight again after he opened a strip club in the back of a Subway sandwich shop.

Police are searching for the gunmen. As of now, no arrests have been made.