Like a modern day Howard Beale, the mayor of Atlantic City is issuing apocalyptic warnings of local government shutdowns and hordes of criminals and prostitutes running roughshod over the state of New Jersey.

On Monday, AC mayor Don Guardian (pictured) failed to convince the New Jersey state government to provide a bridge loan that Guardian claims is necessary for AC to continue to function.

As a result, Guardian says he’ll close City Hall, stop paying around 900 public workers and shut down all non-essential services as of April 8. Guardian said the shutdown would persist until at least May 2, when AC is scheduled to receive its latest quarterly tax payment.

Guardian insisted that he’d been forced to make these “ethical decisions” due to Gov. Chris Christie’s refusal to approve another fiscal bailout package for the troubled seaside casino hub unless the city agreed to a state takeover of its financial affairs.