Wildwood Scam Charges Ignite Outrage Over Illegal Drinking During Senior Week

By Robin Culverwell

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The case of a Wildwood property owner accused of scamming teen renters out of their senior week places has ignited a firestorm about the tradition known as "senior week."

"The illegal drinking is just...out of control," says Wildwood Mayor Eddie Troiano.

It started with the case of Jimmy Georginis being charged with bilking teen renters out of $75,000 in fees for beach homes.

Then Mayor Troiano jumped into the fray, calling Georginis "despicable" but also noting that teenagers celebrating graduation during so-called "Senior Weeks" are out of control.

And he mentioned Catholic high schoolers specifically.

"I apologize if I offended anyone," Mayor Troiano says. "The intent was not as it sounded. It was more out of frustration with regards to the drinking that goes on here." And that he says has got to stop.

And he says he's worked hard to help those said to be stolen from by Georginis - by helping find them other accommodation.